Former Illinois Teaching Assistant Arrested for Threatening President Trump

Derek Lopez, a 27-year-old former teaching assistant at Illinois State University, has been federally charged with making threats against President Donald Trump following a month-long investigation by the FBI and the Secret Service. Lopez was arrested during a coordinated operation involving local and federal law enforcement agencies and is currently held at Woodford County Jail. Prior to the federal charges, Lopez faced misdemeanor charges for disorderly conduct and property damage after a viral incident where he flipped a table belonging to the conservative group Turning Point USA on campus. FBI Director Kash Patel condemned the threats as "heinous" and emphasized that the FBI will pursue justice against those making violent threats against public officials or any American. Illinois State University placed Lopez on administrative leave pending further investigation. Authorities have not disclosed specific details about the nature of the threats made against President Trump.