Federal Grand Jury Indicts Man for Threatening to Assassinate Trump After Reelection

A San Bernardino County man is facing federal charges after a grand jury indicted him for allegedly making multiple threats online to assassinate then-President-elect Donald Trump following his reelection in November. The U.S. Department of Justice announced that Thomas Eugene Streavel, 73, of Yucca Valley, was formally charged with three counts of threatening the President-elect.

Streavel appeared in U.S. District Court in Riverside, California, where he pleaded not guilty to the federal charges—just a day after his arrest by authorities. According to federal prosecutors, Streavel targeted Trump with violent rhetoric on social media platforms both immediately before and after the November 5, 2024 election, escalating the seriousness of his statements in the days following the announcement of Trump’s victory.

Attorney General Pam Bondi addressed the case, stating, “This defendant is charged with threatening the life of our President – a man who has already survived two deranged attempts on his life. The Department of Justice takes these threats with the utmost seriousness and will prosecute this crime to the fullest extent of the law.”

The indictment details a series of Facebook posts attributed to Streavel. As early as October 15, Streavel reportedly posted, calling it a “perfect day to blow his brains out,” in reference to Trump, and adding that he would love to be the one to “pull the trigger.” His social media activity continued with more explicit and profanity-laced threats throughout November, with particular emphasis placed on posts from November 12, November 19, and November 28—the basis for the three counts against him.

In one post cited by prosecutors, Streavel allegedly wrote, “My a - - is willing to make America great again and blow his mother f - - - - -- brains out. The piece of s--- will never be my president.” Another post from November 19 read, “Let me put a bullet right between the ears of your president-elect that instantly makes AMERICA great again. That’s my purpose for living. It would give me great pleasure to kill the worthless mother f- - - - -.” The third charge is anchored in a message posted on November 28, where Streavel allegedly stated, “I'm praying for a successful assassination of your president-elect… I would gladly give my left nut to be the one who puts the bullet right between his ears. My life's mission is killing the worthless LOSER piece of s- - - and my mission starts tonight so watch yourself Trump, you are a dead mother f- - - - - and I am your assassin. ‘GOD BLESS AMERICA.’”

U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli issued a strong warning, saying, “The type of rhetoric and threats made by this defendant are similar to those that led to an attempt on the President’s life last year. There is no place for political violence or threats of violence in the United States. We will not hesitate to arrest and charge others who engage in similar criminal conduct.”

Streavel, who was released on a $10,000 bond, is scheduled to return to court for trial proceedings on July 28, 2025. If convicted on all counts, he faces up to five years in federal prison per count, underlining the seriousness with which the justice system is treating threats against public officials. The legal proceedings are expected to draw significant attention, as authorities continue to ramp up efforts to prevent and prosecute politically motivated threats and violence nationwide.