A 73-year-old California man’s social media rants against President-elect Donald Trump landed him in federal custody.
The New York Post reported that Thomas Eugene Streavel, hailing from Yucca Valley, now faces serious charges for allegedly threatening to assassinate the incoming president. His posts, dripping with venom, show how unhinged political discourse has become.
Streavel was arrested Dec. 2, 2024, after a federal probe into his online threats, which spanned from Nov. 6 to Nov. 28, 2024, and targeted Trump with chilling specificity.
Charged with a three-count indictment, he could face up to five years per count if convicted. This case underscores the fine line between free speech and criminal intent.
The trouble began the day after Trump’s election victory, when Streavel took to Facebook on Nov. 6, 2024, vowing to “blow [Trump’s] brains out.” Such brazen threats aren’t just keyboard warrior bravado—they’re a federal crime. The Department of Justice didn’t hesitate to act.
On Nov. 12, 2024, Streavel doubled down, posting he was “willing to make America great again” by violently targeting Trump. Irony alert: Co-opting Trump’s slogan for a death threat is a twisted way to make a point. Actions, it seems, do have consequences.
By Nov. 19, 2024, Streavel’s rhetoric grew darker, claiming a bullet between Trump’s ears was his “purpose for living.” This isn’t just hyperbole; it’s a chilling glimpse into a mind consumed by hatred. Federal authorities were right to take notice.
On Nov. 28, 2024, Streavel’s posts hit a fever pitch, with one praying for a “successful assassination” of Trump.
He didn’t stop there, declaring himself Trump’s “assassin” and calling the act his “life’s mission.” The audacity of such public threats is as stunning as it is reckless.
Streavel’s arrest followed a swift investigation, culminating in his Dec. 2, 2024, apprehension in San Bernardino County.
The DOJ accused him of knowingly threatening to kill and harm the president-elect. It’s a reminder that the internet isn’t a lawless frontier.
At his arraignment on Dec. 3, 2024, Streavel pleaded not guilty to all charges. Released on a $10,000 bond, he’s now awaiting trial set for July 28, 2025. One wonders if he’ll reflect on the weight of his words in the meantime.
The charges stem from a three-count federal indictment, each carrying a potential five-year sentence. The severity reflects the government’s zero-tolerance stance on threats against elected officials. Political passion doesn’t excuse endangering lives.
United States Attorney Bill Essayli didn’t mince words, linking Streavel’s threats to a prior attempt on Trump’s life in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2024.
“The type of rhetoric and threats made by this defendant are similar to those that led to an attempt on the President’s life last year,” Essayli said. His point hits home: words can ignite violence.
Essayli also condemned political violence broadly, stating, “There is no place for political violence or threats of violence in the United States.” It’s a sentiment most Americans, left or right, can agree on. Yet, the divisive climate keeps testing that principle.
Streavel’s case isn’t just about one man’s unhinged posts; it’s a symptom of a broader cultural malaise. When political disagreement morphs into calls for assassination, society’s fabric frays. Cooler heads must prevail, or we all lose.
While Streavel’s threats were uniquely egregious, they reflect a growing trend of toxic rhetoric online. Social media amplifies voices, for better or worse, and Streavel chose the worst. His arrest should serve as a wake-up call to think before posting.
Conservatives, especially those in the MAGA camp, will see this as another example of the left’s unhinged obsession with demonizing Trump. But let’s not pretend the right is immune to overheated rhetoric either. Both sides need to dial it back.
