Teaching assistant fired for flipping out at Turning Point USA event arrested for allegedly threatening to kill Trump

An Illinois State University teaching assistant, Derek Lopez, has made headlines after being arrested for allegedly threatening to kill President Trump. The 27-year-old was taken into custody following a series of disturbing social media posts, including one where he boldly stated, “I’m gonna kill Donald Trump,” as reported by federal authorities.

In one particularly alarming post, Lopez shared a video of a man pointing a gun at a graphic of Trump with a target on his head, according to the criminal complaint. He also referenced the ongoing government shutdown as an opportunity to target the President.

The threats made by Lopez on social media caught the attention of law enforcement, leading to his arrest. He now faces federal charges and could potentially serve up to five years in prison if convicted. FBI director Kash Patel condemned the threats, emphasizing that violence against public officials has no place in society.

This incident comes on the heels of Lopez’s dismissal from his teaching assistant position at the university. Just two weeks prior, he gained attention for flipping a Turning Point USA table on campus, where the conservative group was promoting an upcoming event. The video of the incident went viral on social media, leading to Lopez’s arrest on charges of disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property.

Despite the controversy surrounding him, Lopez has remained defiant, with his actions sparking outrage and concern among the community. The incident serves as a reminder of the consequences of making threats against public figures and the importance of upholding civility and respect in society.