A Texas political activist accused of making violent threats against federal immigration officers and South Dakota Governor Kristi Noem broke down in tears as a federal judge ordered him to remain in custody pending trial.
The court found that the suspect posed a serious risk to public safety following a string of incendiary social media posts that included threats to “kill ICE agents” and “throw Kristi Noem in a gulag.”
The 33-year-old man, whose identity has not been disclosed in full due to ongoing investigations, appeared before a federal magistrate in Austin on Thursday.
He was arrested last week by the FBI following a months-long probe into multiple threatening messages targeting government officials and law enforcement.
Social Media Threats Prompt FBI Investigation
According to court documents filed by the U.S. Department of Justice, the suspect used multiple social media accounts to post threatening messages over the past year. In one post, he allegedly stated he would “hunt down ICE agents and make them pay for what they’ve done,” referencing his opposition to immigration enforcement policies.
Another message targeted Republican Governor Kristi Noem of South Dakota, in which the activist reportedly wrote that she would “be the first thrown into a people’s gulag when the revolution comes.”
The threats triggered concern among federal agencies, particularly given the recent rise in politically motivated violence and the targeting of public officials.
“The government takes these threats extremely seriously, especially when they are made repeatedly and specifically against named individuals,” Assistant U.S. Attorney James Cole said during the hearing. “These are not idle statements—they reflect a pattern of escalating rhetoric that presents a genuine danger.”
Defense Argues Hyperbole, Not Harm
The suspect’s public defender argued that the posts were exaggerated expressions of political frustration and not concrete threats. “My client did not have the means, nor the intention, to carry out these statements,” attorney Rachel Marin told the court. “This was online bluster, not a blueprint for action.”
Despite the defense’s appeal for release under strict conditions, the judge was unmoved. “The nature of these threats, their repeated nature, and the public positions of the targets elevate this case beyond mere rhetoric,” U.S. Magistrate Judge Philip Atkins said in his ruling.
During the proceedings, the defendant wept and shook his head, at times appearing emotionally overwhelmed as the judge detailed the reasons for continued detention.
A Pattern of Extremism
Investigators noted that the suspect’s threats were not isolated incidents. According to the affidavit filed in support of the arrest warrant, he has a history of promoting anti-government ideology and associating with fringe political movements.
Agents also recovered weapons and encrypted communication devices from the man’s residence during a federal search, though no direct evidence of a plot to act on the threats was found.
“This individual expressed a willingness to commit violence in pursuit of his beliefs,” an FBI spokesperson said. “That is a red line for us, particularly when law enforcement officers and elected officials are being directly named.”
The case has raised alarms in political and law enforcement circles, with growing concern over the safety of public officials in an increasingly polarized climate.
National Implications
Governor Kristi Noem, a potential 2024 vice-presidential contender and outspoken supporter of strict immigration enforcement, declined to comment on the ongoing case but released a brief statement through her office: “Governor Noem takes the safety of all public officials seriously and will continue her work to protect the people of South Dakota.”
ICE also acknowledged the threats, emphasizing the challenges faced by federal agents working in highly politicized environments. “Our officers take risks every day to enforce federal law, and threats against them will not be tolerated,” an ICE spokesperson said.
Experts in political extremism and domestic terrorism say the incident reflects broader trends.
“We’re seeing an alarming normalization of violent language in political discourse,” said Dr. Mia Toliver, a security analyst at the University of Texas. “While not all of it results in action, the threshold for what’s considered dangerous is shifting—and law enforcement is rightly paying closer attention.”
Looking Ahead
The suspect is currently being held in a federal detention facility in Texas, with no bail set. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for later this month, where prosecutors are expected to present further evidence from social media archives and forensic analysis of the devices seized.
If convicted of making interstate threats, the man could face up to five years in prison for each count, in addition to possible charges related to possession of unlawful devices or other federal offenses.
The case serves as a cautionary tale in a time of heightened political tensions, reminding the public that freedom of speech has limits—particularly when it veers into the realm of violence and intimidation.
For more details on federal charges related to threats and online harassment, visit the U.S. Attorney’s Office.
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