University TA Fired for Threatening to Kill President Trump and Flipping TPUSA Table

Former Illinois State graduate assistant faces federal charges after violent social‑media posts — FBI, Secret Service and local police joined the arrest.

A former Illinois State University teaching assistant was arrested this week on federal charges for allegedly threatening to kill President Trump.

The man is 27‑year‑old Derek Lopez of El Paso, Ill. Federal agents say Lopez posted direct threats online. One X post read, “I’m gonna kill Donald Trump, idgaf,” the criminal complaint says. Investigators also point to an Instagram video in which a man points a gun at an image of President Trump with crosshairs over his head.

The arrest was the result of a joint operation. FBI and Secret Service agents worked with Illinois State University police and local officers. Lopez was taken into custody during a traffic stop near his hometown.

Two weeks before the arrest, Lopez was fired from his graduate teaching assistant post. Video showed him storming a Turning Point USA table on campus and flipping it over. He was charged locally with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property. Illinois State confirmed he was relieved of duties pending investigation.

Campus video captured Lopez telling students, “Well, you know, Jesus did it, so you know I gotta do it, right?” before sending pins and flyers flying. The clip spread fast online and inflamed an already tense moment on campus during homecoming week.

The FBI affidavit lays out a month‑long probe. Agents interviewed Lopez in early October and warned him about violent posts. The documents say he ignored those warnings and continued to post. The affidavit includes screenshots and transcribed messages investigators say came from his accounts.

Authorities point out the posts did more than vent. They portray a threat that, under federal law, is a crime. 18 U.S.C. § 871 makes it illegal to knowingly and willfully threaten the life of the President. A conviction can carry up to five years in prison.

FBI Director Kash Patel called the alleged threats “heinous” and said they will not be tolerated. “Let this be a message: anyone who threatens violence against public officials or any American will be found and brought to justice,” he said.

Illinois State University police emphasized their dual duty: protect free speech and preserve safety. School officials said Lopez was relieved of his duties while the matter was reviewed.

The incident lands amid heightened tensions on campuses nationwide. Conservative student groups such as Turning Point USA have been targeted recently, and the anger has spilled into viral confrontations. The situation is also fresh on the heels of other violent episodes tied to political events, which has put Secret Service resources and threat‑assessment teams on high alert.

Legal experts note courts must balance free‑speech protections with public safety. The Justice Department’s manual and federal precedent require prosecutors to show the statement was a true threat — not mere political hyperbole — and that the speaker acted knowingly and willfully. If prosecutors meet that burden, the statute carries real penalties.

Lopez made his first court appearance this week. He now faces a federal charge tied to threats against the President. Prosecutors say the case remains under active investigation. If convicted, he could face up to five years behind bars.

Campus leaders and law enforcement say they will continue monitoring online activity tied to campus unrest. Parents and donors are already asking questions. And conservative groups are seizing the moment to demand firmer campus discipline and stronger protections for student organizations.