Authorities have arrested a 22-year-old New Hampshire man accused of threatening to assassinate Gov. Kelly Ayotte with homemade explosive devices, marking another concerning incident in a growing pattern of threats against elected officials.
Tristan Anderson was taken into custody following an investigation that began when he allegedly bragged about his bomb-making capabilities to a roommate through Snapchat messages.
The suspect displayed materials intended for creating explosive devices on the social media platform, according to court documents.
Law enforcement officials described Anderson’s planned weapons as pipe bombs, which prosecutors have classified as a “weapon of mass destruction” under federal statutes.
The arrest warrant reveals Anderson’s deep-seated grievances against state and federal leadership.
Anderson harbored conspiratorial beliefs about an “Israel Deep State” controlling government operations at multiple levels, according to prosecutors.
Court filings this month detailed his racially-charged commentary targeting Jewish Americans, with specific anger directed toward Gov. Ayotte, who practices Catholicism.
The suspect’s threats extended beyond the governor to include other Republican officials in the state.
Anderson made statements threatening to “kill” members of the New Hampshire GOP committee, claiming they falsely “speak for the rest of NH residents.”
Anderson’s digital communications revealed broader extremist viewpoints, including his belief that his “generation is full of w****s.”
He shared video content promoting anti-Jewish conspiracy theories across various platforms, according to investigators.
The investigation gained momentum when Anderson’s roommate contacted law enforcement.
The roommate provided crucial information about Anderson’s possession of firearms and bomb-making materials stored at their shared residence.
Authorities discovered Anderson had collected fireworks, metal tubes and bags of nuts and bolts, which he intended to convert into improvised explosive devices.
The roommate’s cooperation proved instrumental in building the case against the suspect.
Anderson remains detained at the Merrimack County Jail without bail since his August arrest.
He faces multiple charges including criminal threatening and threatening a government official, both serious felonies under New Hampshire law.
Gov. Ayotte’s office declined to provide comment when contacted by the Daily Mail regarding the assassination plot.
The outlet further noted that Ayotte assumed office as New Hampshire’s chief executive in 2025 following her successful gubernatorial campaign.
She previously represented the state in the United States Senate from 2011 to 2017, bringing extensive federal legislative experience to the governor’s mansion.
Ayotte’s 2024 electoral victory represented a significant achievement for Republicans in traditionally competitive territory.
Despite President Donald Trump’s loss in New Hampshire, she secured victory over Democratic challenger Joyce Craig by an impressive eight-point margin.
Her campaign strategy focused heavily on local issues rather than national political controversies.
Notably, Ayotte avoided commenting on the Israel-Hamas conflict throughout the campaign season, despite the topic generating significant debate on college campuses during 2024.
Her public record shows limited commentary on Middle Eastern affairs, with her most recent substantial statement appearing in a 2014 op-ed.
In that piece, she criticized Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, writing that he “has embarked on a destructive course harmful to the prospects for rebuilding Gaza and achieving Israeli–Palestinian peace.”
Chris Vetter, director of Safety Services at the State House, confirmed that security officials are treating the increased threats against elected officials with utmost seriousness.
State authorities are coordinating with federal agencies to ensure comprehensive protection.
“We’re aware of what’s going on nationally,” Vetter stated, acknowledging the broader pattern of threats against political figures.
“We’re going to remain vigilant” in protecting state officials and facilities from potential attacks.
