Pennsylvania Man Faces Federal Charge for Threatening President Trump on TikTok

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Port Matilda man charged with making online death threats against President Trump; faces up to 5 years in prison if convicted.

Per a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania, a 22-year-old Port Matilda resident has been charged with threatening then President-elect Donald J. Trump in January 2025. Prosecutors allege Jacob Buckley used a TikTok account to post statements indicating his intent to kill the president-elect and other political opponents. The case underscores that online threats against public officials can result in serious federal charges.

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Authorities say Buckley’s posts, made just four days before the presidential inauguration, included explicit threats against Trump and members of the political group he leads. The U.S. Secret Service investigated the matter, and an Assistant U.S. Attorney is now pursuing the case.

If convicted, Buckley could face a maximum of five years in prison, supervised release, financial penalties, and other court-imposed consequences. Sentencing would follow federal statutes and guidelines, which take into account the nature of the offense and the defendant’s background.

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The U.S. Attorney’s Office emphasized that the charge is an allegation and that Buckley is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. Residents are reminded that threats against elected officials—whether in person or online—are taken seriously by law enforcement and can lead to federal prosecution.

Article by multiple contributors, based upon information from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania

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