Federal Charges Against Pennsylvania Man

A 22-year-old man from Pennsylvania, Jacob Buckley, has been federally charged for allegedly making threats against then-President-elect Donald Trump before his inauguration. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania announced the charges on Wednesday, highlighting the severity of the threats made via social media.

Threats Made on TikTok

According to prosecutors, Buckley used a TikTok account under the name “Jacob_buckley” to express his intentions. On January 16, he posted messages stating, “I hate MAGA republicans bro on god I’ll kill all of them,” and further escalated by writing, “I’m going to kill Trump.” He also mentioned concerns about entering “a literal oligarchy in 4 days,” indicating his intent to act before Trump’s official inauguration.

Legal Proceedings and Potential Penalties

The U.S. Attorney’s Office confirmed that Buckley was charged by criminal information for threatening Donald J. Trump as the President-elect. The investigation was conducted by the U.S. Secret Service. If convicted, Buckley faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison, followed by supervised release, a fine, and a special assessment.

Context of Recent Threats

This development follows another case involving a Rhode Island man, Carl Montague, who was charged with making threats against Trump and several administration officials on Truth Social. Montague’s threats included plans to shoot and kill Trump and other high-profile figures. However, the FBI noted that Montague did not possess weapons or have any concrete plans to carry out these threats.

Implications of Social Media Threats

These cases underscore the growing concern over threats made on social media platforms against public figures. Law enforcement agencies continue to monitor such activities closely to prevent potential acts of violence and ensure public safety.