DOJ charges man for making threats against President Donald Trump ahead of Kansas rally

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas filed a criminal complaint against 24-year-old Jaden Read on Saturday after he allegedly made a handful of threatening comments against the president on Facebook last week.

Published: October 19, 2026 7:19pm

The Justice Department announced Monday the arrest and charge of a Kansas man who allegedly made threats against President Donald Trump regarding his upcoming visit to the state. 

The president is scheduled to hold a rally in Kansas on Monday night as he boosts Republican Sen. Roger Marshall ahead of the midterms next month. 

The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas filed a criminal complaint against 24-year-old Jaden Read on Saturday after he allegedly made a handful of threatening comments against the president on Facebook last week. 

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

Read allegedly made two of the comments recently in response to a KAKE News article detailing the president's upcoming visit to Wichita, where he commented, "Let’s shoot Trump honestly, where’s our shooter? I’m tired of living this money life." 

The second comment was immediately below the first one, where he allegedly stated that he got "a 308 and 305 round," and will kill the president. 

The Kansas man then made two other threatening comments in response to a different news story that discussed the upcoming visit, in which he allegedly said "Can we shoot him in Kansas please, I will myself," followed by "IK where your speech will be. Already mapped out roofs around. Finna get Kirked since y'all couldn’t help him."

The department said Read is now in federal custody, where he will remain until his detention hearing. 

Misty Severi is a news reporter for Just The News. You can follow her on X for more coverage.

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