by A federal grand jury has indicted Thomas Eugene Streavel, a 73-year-old man from Yucca Valley, California, for threatening to assassinate then-President-elect Donald Trump following his reelection in November.
The U.S. Department of Justice announced that Streavel faces three counts of making threats against the President-elect. He was arrested on Monday and arraigned the next day in U.S. District Court in Riverside, California.
Attorney General Pam Bondi emphasized the seriousness of the case, stating, “This defendant is charged with threatening the life of our President — a man who has already survived two deranged attempts on his life. The Department of Justice takes these threats with the utmost seriousness and will prosecute this crime to the fullest extent of the law.”
According to the indictment, Streavel posted multiple threatening messages on Facebook targeting Trump both before and after the November 5, 2024, election. As early as October 15, Streavel allegedly wrote that it was the “perfect day to blow his brains out,” referring to Trump, and expressed a desire to be the one to carry out the act.
His posts continued on November 3, 20, 25, and 29, with profanity-laced threats about the former president’s death. The indictment focuses on three particularly threatening posts made on November 12, 19, and 28:
- On November 12, Streavel allegedly wrote, “My a – – is willing to make America great again and blow his mother f- – – – — brains out. The piece of s— will never be my president.”
- On November 19, he posted, “Let me put a bullet right between the ears of your president-elect that instantly makes AMERICA great again. That’s my purpose for living. It would give me great pleasure to kill the worthless mother f- – – – -.”
- The most chilling threat came on November 28, when Streavel allegedly wrote, “I’m praying for a successful assassination of your president-elect that will immediately make America great again for the good of our nation. I would gladly give my left nut to be the one who puts the bullet right between his ears. My life’s mission is killing the worthless LOSER piece of s- – – and my mission starts tonight so watch yourself Trump, you are a dead mother f- – – – – and I am your assassin. ‘GOD BLESS AMERICA.’”
U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli highlighted the dangers of such threats, saying, “The type of rhetoric and threats made by this defendant are similar to those that led to an attempt on the President’s life last year. There is no place for political violence or threats of violence in the United States. We will not hesitate to arrest and charge others who engage in similar criminal conduct.”
Streavel has pleaded not guilty to all charges and is scheduled to appear in court for trial on July 28, 2025. A federal magistrate judge released him on a $10,000 bond.
If convicted, Streavel faces up to five years in federal prison for each count.
