In a development that's rattled Jupiter, Florida, local authorities have apprehended a man accused of making fatal threats against former President Donald Trump and U.S. Senator J.D. Vance. According to CBS12, the Jupiter Police Department arrested Michael M. Wiseman on charges of written threats to kill. Wiseman allegedly targeted Trump and Vance, who were named the Republican presidential and vice-presidential nominees earlier in the week, as well as their family members.
Reports from the community and online crime tips alerted local authorities to Wiseman's threatening discourse. "We take all threats to human beings seriously," Deputy Chief Michael Barbera stated, emphasizing the gravity of online statements, "When you get on that keyboard and want to post to social media, really think about what you’re saying or putting out there,” as per CBS12 report.
The investigation unfolded with collaboration from the United States Secret Service and the Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office after Wiseman's threatening posts on Facebook came to light. Despite the arrest taking place without incident and no weapons being found in Wiseman's possession, the gravity of the threats could result in serious consequences. The Palm Beach County State Attorney's Office clarified that the threats constitute a second-degree felony, carrying a penalty of up to 15 years in prison, as reported by CBS12.
The commotion comes in the wake of an attempted assassination on the former President at a rally in Pennsylvania, heightening concerns over the security afforded to high-level political figures. Former FBI Agent Stuart Kaplan reflected on the incident, "I think now, the Secret Service has stepped up their assets and resources to the level as if, Donald Trump was the sitting President." He also observed that such threats are not rare, though often not publicized, "It’s not unusual. We don’t hear about it, but the United States Secret Service does in fact arrest many people throughout the year in connection with threatening the president, the vice president, other dignitaries, that they are tasked to protect," Kaplan remarked in an interview with CBS12.
According to a news release from the Jupiter Police Department, cited by ABC News, multiple residents reported the threatening Facebook posts to the local police. Wiseman was subsequently arrested, processed, and was being held at Palm Beach County Jail. At the time, no information regarding his legal representation was made available.
