FBI Nabs Georgia Man for Violent Threats Against Trump and Gabbard: A Growing Security Concern
- International Affairs North America
Shreya Naskar- 0
- 3 minutes read
In a dramatic escalation of domestic threats against political figures in the United States, federal and local law enforcement agencies have arrested a Georgia man accused of making repeated threats to assassinate U.S. President Donald Trump, Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, and other government officials. The man, identified as 32-year-old Shawn Monper, was taken into custody following an investigation led by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and supported by U.S. Marshals and local police. The arrest has drawn national attention and a strong reaction from Gabbard, who has served as the U.S. Director of National Intelligence since President Trump’s return to office. Expressing her gratitude on social media, Gabbard publicly thanked law enforcement for their swift and effective action. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), the suspect operated online under the pseudonym “Mr Satan.” The DOJ revealed that Monper had posted numerous threats targeting Trump, Gabbard, and other figures in the federal government, including officials from Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The case was initiated after the FBI received an emergency alert regarding threatening content posted to YouTube by Monper under his alias. Through digital forensics and IP tracking, investigators linked the account’s activity to Monper’s residence.
Monper’s digital footprint raised immediate red flags. The DOJ stated that shortly after Trump’s inauguration in January, Monper had acquired a firearms permit and made concerning statements regarding the accumulation of weapons and ammunition. In one post dated February 17, Monper declared:
“Nah, we just need to start killing people, Trump, Elon, all the heads of agencies Trump appointed, and anyone who stands in the way.”
This post not only threatened President Trump but also included billionaire advisor Elon Musk and other members of the administration. Monper claimed the majority of Americans would support such actions, referencing what he called “American Revolution 2.0.”
In another disturbing incident, during a March 4 YouTube livestream titled “Live: Trump’s address to Congress,” Monper reportedly said:
“I’m going to assassinate him myself.” These statements, accompanied by references to violent insurrection and revolutionary rhetoric, positioned Monper as a serious threat, prompting swift intervention by authorities. Monper resides in Butler Township, Pennsylvania — the same area where President Trump narrowly escaped an assassination attempt in July 2024. During an outdoor rally, a bullet grazed Trump’s ear in what authorities labelled an attempted assassination. One person was killed and three others were wounded in that incident. Although the DOJ has not indicated any direct connection between Monper and the July shooter, the shared location adds an eerie dimension to the current investigation. It highlights the heightened risks faced by public figures, especially amid increasing political polarization and extremist sentiment. This incident also brings attention to the risks faced by political leaders in today’s environment. Tulsi Gabbard, having transitioned from a Democratic congresswoman and presidential candidate to a key intelligence figure under a Republican administration, exemplifies the new cross-partisan nature of political threats. Furthermore, the situation underscores the importance of coordinated responses between federal agencies, including the FBI, DOJ, U.S. Marshals, and local law enforcement. Without rapid detection and cooperation, threats like those made by Monper could lead to real-life tragedies.
