John Jefferson
Republican presidential nominee former President Donald Trump speaks at the National Guard Association of the United States’ 146th General Conference, Monday, Aug. 26, 2024, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
The FBI arrested a Michigan man who allegedly threatened to kill Christians should former President Donald Trump win the 2024 election, according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Michigan.
A probable cause statement says the social network site Reddit on Sept. 23 reported one of its users with the moniker “ShootUpTrumpRally.” A user with the same IP address also posted under the names “/WillShootTrumpSoon,” “PlanningToShootTrump and “PlanningToKillTrump.” Investigators learned the IP address showed the user was using internet access on the campus of the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, the affidavit said.
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Agents tracked the IP address to a phone number registered to 25-year-old Isaac Sissel. On Saturday, the FBI received an anonymous tip about a threat to conservative Christians. The post read, in part:
“I shall carry out an attack against conservative christan (sic) filth in the event trump wins the election. I have a stolen ar15 and a target I refuse to name so I can continue to get away with my plans. Without a specific victim or ability to find the place I hid the gun, there’s not a thing the FBI can do until I complete the attack.”
Investigators reportedly determined it came from Sissel’s IP address. They tracked him to a hotel in Canton Monday where he consented to a search of his room. They did not find any weapons.
“Sissel also stated that former President Trump was a threat, a ‘piece of s—‘ that should have been assassinated, and that everything would be better if Trump was dead,” the affidavit said.
The defendant allegedly claimed he wouldn’t kill Trump but if he knew someone that was going to do so it was his “duty” not to intervene. He also said he believed that politically left groups were not “violent enough” unlike their conservative cohorts, the affidavit stated. Sissel stated he would protest with Antifa if needed. He seemed upset with a Christian rehab facility and would often harass its patients, cops said.
Investigators noted Sissel appeared to be mostly transient and has lived in both Washington state and New York. His criminal history includes stalking and harassment, according to the FBI.
Agents arrested Sissel this morning on a charge of sending a threatening communication and he’s scheduled to have a detention hearing on Thursday.
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