A Pennsylvania man is now facing serious federal charges after allegedly making violent threats against former President Donald Trump, tech mogul Elon Musk, and several U.S. government officials. The Department of Justice revealed that 32-year-old Shawn Monper was arrested following an investigation into disturbing online posts that called for the killing of political leaders and federal agents.
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In a dramatic twist that’s drawing national attention, Monper who posted under the name “Mr Satan” on YouTube reportedly went on a months-long tirade from January to April, during which he made explicit threats to assassinate Trump and Musk, as well as other high-ranking officials and agents from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Attorney General Pamela Bondi commended the swift actions of the FBI and the Butler Township Police Department, who worked together to track Monper down after the FBI’s National Threat Operations Section received an emergency tip about his inflammatory online behavior on April 8.
“The Justice Department takes threats of this nature extremely seriously,” Bondi stated. “Whenever there’s a credible danger of violence or assassination, we will act quickly to find, arrest, and prosecute those responsible.”
Federal investigators traced the threats back to Monper’s physical location in Butler, Pennsylvania. Records showed that he obtained a firearms permit shortly after Trump’s inauguration and frequently bragged online about stockpiling weapons and ammunition.
In one chilling post from February, Monper wrote: “We just need to start killing people Trump, Elon, all the heads of agencies Trump appointed, and anyone who stands in the way.” He continued his campaign of threats in March, stating outright, “I will assassinate him myself,” in reference to the former president.
Monper also targeted ICE agents in several posts, calling them “terrorists” and claiming he would “open fire” if he ever saw one armed in public.
Monper is currently in federal custody, with preliminary and detention hearings scheduled for April 14. Assistant U.S. Attorney Brendan J. McKenna has been assigned to lead the prosecution.
