A man in Southern California has been arrested and charged with threatening the life of President-elect Donald Trump. Manuel Tamayo-Torres, 45, faces one count of making threats against Trump and four counts of providing false statements during the purchase of a firearm, according to federal authorities.
Tamayo-Torres, who has a criminal history, was convicted of felony assault in 2004 and served five years in prison for the offense.
The arrest follows a series of disturbing videos he allegedly posted on social media, filled with profanity-laden and threatening messages targeting Trump.
Court documents reveal that Tamayo-Torres posted daily videos online, referring to Trump as “Individual 1.” While he avoided mentioning Trump by name, he described “Individual 1” as a former and current president-elect, leaving little doubt about the intended target.
In these videos, Tamayo-Torres accused Trump of heinous crimes, including kidnapping and sex trafficking his children—claims that have no basis in reality.
One particularly troubling video posted on November 21 took on a racist tone. In the footage, Tamayo-Torres can be heard unleashing a tirade against Trump, calling him “low-life scum” and threatening violence.
“You’re Caucasian nothing,” he said in the video. “You’ll earn nothing. Aryan money, that’s all you have. You’re a low-life scum. I’ll spit in your [expletive] face, and if they give me a chance, I’m going to [expletive] bury you myself.”
The videos have sparked significant concern among law enforcement, leading to Tamayo-Torres’s arrest on Wednesday.
This incident comes amid heightened security concerns as the nation approaches the January 20, 2025, inauguration.
The FBI is investigating a growing number of threats against high-profile political figures, including Trump and members of his potential cabinet. Some of these threats involve bomb scares and calls for violence.
The transition period has seen an uptick in politically motivated hostility, with fringe individuals targeting public figures. Authorities are monitoring these threats closely to ensure the safety of elected officials and the public.
This is not the first time Trump has faced serious threats. During his campaign, he survived two assassination attempts. The first occurred on July 12 at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, where a bullet reportedly missed him by less than an inch. The second attempt happened on September 18 at Trump’s West Palm Beach golf course.
If convicted, Tamayo-Torres could face severe legal consequences. Federal law imposes heavy penalties for making threats against public officials, particularly the president or president-elect.
Law enforcement agencies emphasize that these actions will be met with zero tolerance. As the inauguration draws closer, authorities remain vigilant against any potential threats, ensuring the safety of elected leaders and upholding the rule of law.
