A former university teaching assistant who went viral for flipping a conservative student group’s table has now been arrested by the FBI for allegedly threatening to kill President Trump.
Story Snapshot
- Derek Lopez arrested on federal charges for alleged death threats against Trump via social media
- FBI had previously warned Lopez about the illegality of violent threats, which he ignored
- Lopez faces up to five years in prison if convicted on federal charges
- Case represents dangerous escalation from campus activism to criminal threats against elected officials
From Campus Disruption to Federal Charges
Derek Lopez, the 27-year-old former Illinois State University graduate teaching assistant who gained notoriety for flipping a Turning Point USA table, now faces serious federal charges for allegedly threatening President Trump’s life. The FBI arrested Lopez after he reportedly posted explicit death threats on social media, including a video showing a pistol pointed at Trump’s image and a direct message stating “I’m gonna kill Donald Trump, idgaf.” This represents a shocking escalation from his original campus protest that cost him his job and sparked national debate.
TPUSA table flipper arrested for alleged Trump threats ignored FBI warning about violent posts: affidavit https://t.co/5bgkAqUaZC
— Fox News (@FoxNews) October 31, 2025
FBI Warning Ignored Before Threats Escalated
According to the FBI affidavit, federal agents interviewed Lopez on October 9, 2025, regarding his conduct and specifically warned him about the illegality of making violent threats. Despite this clear warning from law enforcement, Lopez allegedly proceeded to post threatening content just weeks later. On October 26, he reportedly shared an Instagram video showing a man cocking a pistol and pointing it at Trump’s image with crosshairs, followed by his explicit death threat on X the next day. This blatant disregard for federal warnings demonstrates the dangerous mindset driving his actions.
Watch: FIRED Illinois Teaching Assistant Who Flipped TPUSA Table Now ARRESTED For Threatening To KILL Trump
Justice Under Trump Administration
FBI Director Kash Patel condemned Lopez’s threats as “heinous” and emphasized that such actions will face full prosecution under the law. This strong response reflects the Trump administration’s commitment to protecting constitutional rights and holding accountable those who make violent threats against elected officials. Lopez now sits in federal custody facing up to five years in prison, a stark reminder that there are serious consequences for crossing the line from protected speech to criminal threats. The case sends a clear message that the days of tolerating violent leftist rhetoric are over.
The swift federal response to Lopez’s threats demonstrates how law enforcement takes seriously any attempt to intimidate or threaten public officials. His case serves as a cautionary tale for others who might consider escalating political disagreement into criminal conduct, showing that federal agencies will pursue charges regardless of someone’s political motivations or previous viral fame.
Sources:
Viral TPUSA Table-Flipping Teacher Now Facing Prison for Threatening to Kill Trump – Times of India
Illinois State University graduate student arrested – AOL News
