A 24-year-old Kansas man was arrested over the weekend after federal authorities said he made online threats to shoot President Donald Trump ahead of a scheduled rally in Wichita. Jaden J. Read, of Clearwater, Kansas, faces a federal charge of threatening the president, according to court documents.
Federal authorities allege Read posted multiple comments on Facebook calling for Trump’s death and claiming to have mapped rooftops near the planned speech site. The investigation began on October 15, when a tip was submitted to Crime Stoppers regarding comments beneath a KAKE News Facebook article about Trump’s upcoming visit. Prosecutors say Read’s posts included statements such as, “Let’s shoot Trump honestly, where’s our shooter? I’m tired of living this money life,” and later, “I just got a 308 and 305 round and I'm killing this pedo.”
Read was taken into federal custody on October 17 and remains held pending a detention hearing. The charge carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas.
Investigation Details and Social Media Posts
Federal prosecutors stated that investigators uncovered additional alleged threats beneath a separate KWCH 12 News Facebook article about Trump’s visit. In one post, Read wrote, “Can we shoot him in Kansas please I will myself.” Minutes later, he added, “IK where your speech will be. Already mapped out roofs around. Finna get kirked since yall couldn't help him.”
Authorities did not disclose how they linked Read to the posts, but the investigation was initiated based on a Crime Stoppers tip. The posts were made in response to local news coverage of Trump’s planned appearance in Wichita on October 19, two days after the initial tip and one day before his scheduled visit.
Legal and Procedural Context
The federal complaint charges Read with knowingly and willfully threatening to take the life of or inflict bodily harm on the president, a violation of U.S. law. The complaint does not specify whether Read possessed firearms or ammunition, nor does it detail how he allegedly obtained them.
Federal law makes it a crime to threaten the president, with penalties including imprisonment. The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Kansas, and Read remains in federal custody as of the latest update.
Background on Security Measures
The arrest occurred ahead of Trump’s rally in Wichita, part of a broader pattern of heightened security at presidential events. Federal agencies typically coordinate with local law enforcement to assess threats and deploy resources accordingly. While the complaint does not state whether the threats influenced security planning, the timing of Read’s arrest—just days before the event—suggests authorities acted to mitigate potential risks.
No further public statements have been issued regarding the case, and the investigation remains ongoing.