Massachusetts Resident Faces Charge Over Alleged Trump Death Threat

The FBI says an 18-year-old Massachusetts man accused of threatening to kill President Donald Trump had access to weapons. Trenton Touch of Tewksbury faces a federal charge over messages posted on Instagram, including a threat to shoot Trump, investigators say.

A June 21 message allegedly showed a rifle and said Touch planned to kill Trump, adding that he was not yet a good enough shot beyond 200 yards. The FBI says Instagram’s parent company, Meta, flagged Touch’s violent and threatening content on September 10.

Investigators searched Touch’s home on October 26 and seized a revolver, military-style knives, a hatchet, camouflage clothing and a ballistic helmet, prosecutors said. A search at his grandparents’ home in Atkinson, New Hampshire, turned up a rifle and ammunition; investigators say the rifle was the one pictured in the Instagram message.

The criminal complaint also describes messages praising mass shooters and endorsing violence against public officials and others. FBI officials said Touch’s alleged threats posed a serious public-safety risk. Massachusetts U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said threats against the president are serious crimes and are not protected speech.

Touch is being held on state firearm charges and is subject to $50,000 bail. If released on bail, he would be confined at home with a GPS monitor and required to surrender firearms. His federal initial appearance and a state hearing to review bail are scheduled for November 9.

Alleged Threat Against Trump Puts Political Violence in Focus

The alleged threat against President Donald Trump is a stark public-safety case: federal investigators say Trenton Touch, 18, posted a message about killing the president alongside a rifle and had access to weapons. The Tewksbury, Massachusetts, man faces a federal charge, with an initial appearance scheduled for November 9 in Boston.

Investigators say the June 21 Instagram message included a threat to kill Trump and a remark about not yet being able to shoot accurately beyond 200 yards. Meta flagged Touch’s violent and threatening content on September 10, according to the complaint.

A search of Touch’s home on October 26 turned up a revolver, military-style knives, a hatchet, camouflage clothing and a ballistic helmet, prosecutors said. A search at his grandparents’ home in New Hampshire found a rifle and ammunition. Investigators say the rifle was pictured in the threatening message.

The complaint also describes alleged praise for mass shooters and support for violence against public officials and others. U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said threats against the president are serious crimes, not protected speech. The case now moves to federal court, while Touch also faces state firearm charges and a November 9 bail-review hearing. If he posts $50,000 bail, he would be subject to home confinement with GPS monitoring and must surrender firearms.

Federal Case Targets Alleged Threat to Kill President Trump

The federal case against Trenton Touch centers on an alleged threat to kill President Donald Trump and investigators’ claim that the teenager had access to weapons. Touch, 18, of Tewksbury, Massachusetts, is charged with threatening the president and is due in federal court in Boston on November 9.

Investigators say Touch posted a June 21 Instagram message showing a rifle and threatening to kill Trump, while writing that he was not yet a capable shot beyond 200 yards. Meta flagged his violent and threatening content on September 10, according to the complaint.

Authorities searching Touch’s home on October 26 seized a revolver, military-style knives, a hatchet, camouflage clothing and a ballistic helmet, prosecutors said. At his grandparents’ home in Atkinson, New Hampshire, they found a rifle and ammunition. Investigators say the rifle matched the one in the Instagram message.

The complaint also describes alleged praise of mass shooters and support for violence against public officials and others. FBI officials said the alleged threat posed a grave public-safety concern, while U.S. Attorney Leah Foley said threatening the president is a serious crime and not protected speech.

Touch remains held on state firearm charges. A judge set $50,000 bail, with home confinement and GPS monitoring if he is released, and required him to surrender firearms. His federal appearance and state bail-review hearing are set for November 9.