A Portland man was charged with making violent threats against federal law enforcement officers, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon announced yesterday. John Paul Cupp, 45, faced a judge for the first time after being accused of using threatening language towards the staff at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in South Portland.
According to U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford, "Threats of violence against the brave members of law enforcement and their families will not be tolerated." Bradford emphasized that those who intimidate those charged with the protection of our communities will face full prosecution under the law. The Justice Department reported that the alleged threats occurred when Cupp began yelling insults and threatened to kill officers and sexually assault their wives on October 14, 2025.
The situation escalated as Cupp continued to post violent threats online, extending his aggressive rhetoric to federal agents and their family members. The Acting Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Portland Special Agent in Charge, Matt Torres, stated, "Threats to law enforcement personnel have absolutely no place in our community." Torres underlined the FBI's commitment using all investigative methods to confront individuals leveraging violent rhetoric.
Cupp has been identified as a prolific online persona, frequently publishing antagonistic content, including calls for war against the United States, antisemitic diatribes, and violent threats. Since mid-June, Forty defendants have been charged with federal crimes in relation to offenses near ICE facilities, as reported by the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
Following his recent court appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge, Cupp was ordered detained pending further proceedings as the investigation by the FBI continues. While a criminal complaint suggests allegations of wrongdoing, it is imperative to remember that all defendants, including Cupp, are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
