Kansas man charged with threatening Trump before Wichita-area visit

As of 6:41 p.m. ET, Monday, Oct. 19, 2026

A Kansas man has been charged with threatening President Donald Trump ahead of the president's Monday visit to the Wichita area, the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Kansas said.

Prosecutors filed a criminal complaint on Oct. 17 against Jaden J. Read, 24, of Clearwater, Kansas, charging him with making threats against the president, the office said in a news release Monday. The charge falls under 18 U.S.C. § 871, according to the office.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, a Crime Stoppers tip on Oct. 15 led authorities to Facebook comments Read posted in response to a KAKE News article about Trump's planned visit. In one, he wrote: "Let's shoot Trump honestly, where's our shooter? I'm tired of living this money life," the office said. Immediately afterward, according to the office, Read posted a second comment on the same article: "I just got a 308 and 305 round and I'm killing this pedo."

The office said authorities found two more comments under a KWCH 12 News article about the visit. One read: "Can we shoot him in Kansas please I will myself." A minute later, according to the office, Read posted: "IK where your speech will be. Already mapped out roofs around."

Read was arrested Oct. 17 in Clearwater and will remain in federal custody until a detention hearing, the office said.

"Political violence and threats of political violence will not be tolerated," U.S. Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser said in the release. "The first Amendment allows for robust disagreement but there are constraints. I caution people to stay within the bounds of constitutionally protected speech."

The U.S. Secret Service, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Kansas Bureau of Investigation, the Kansas Highway Patrol and the Wichita Police Department investigated the case, according to the office.

Trump's Monday evening rally, held in support of Republican Sen. Roger Marshall, was scheduled at the Heartland Credit Union Arena in Park City, just north of Wichita, KSHB 41 reported.

The charge is an accusation, and Read has not been convicted. It could not be determined as of 6:41 p.m. ET whether Read had a lawyer who could comment on his behalf.