Suspect arrested for ‘threatening to kill Trump and his VP pick JD Vance’ in Florida days after assassination attempt
A FLORIDA man has been arrested after allegedly making threats on social media against former President Donald Trump and his Vice Presidential running mate, Senator J. D. Vance.
Michael W. Wiseman was arrested on Friday by police in Jupiter — a town on Florida’s east coast about 20 miles north of Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home in Palm Beach — on charges of threatening to kill the Republican politicians.
The suspect allegedly posted multiple threatening messages on Facebook about Trump and Vance over the last week, according to a post online by the Jupiter Police Department.
Wiseman was taken into custody in Palm Beach County Jail, according to a statement by Jupiter police spokesman Don Hennessy told local CBS affiliate KOIN.
He also made references “concerning bodily harm” against members of the Trump and Vance families, according to police.
Police tracked down the suspect in coordination with the Secret Service and the Palm Beach County State Attorney’s Office, investigators said.
Local authorities were contacted by multiple people who saw the posts and were concerned for the candidates’ safety after Trump survived a shocking assassination attempt during a rally on Saturday.
The sniper, positioned on a roof less than 150 yards from the podium where Trump was speaking, grazed the former president in the ear with one shot and killed an audience member along with injuring two other attendees at the tragic event in Pennsylvania.
President Joe Biden increased Secret Service protection for all major candidates after the shooting, the White House said.
How the would-be assassin, Thomas Crooks, was able to get so close to the former president is currently being investigated by multiple agencies.
Investigators are also still trying to pin down a motive for the shooting, as Crooks did not appear to have strong political leanings or a history of mental illness.
A TIME FOR UNITY
Biden, Trump, and dozens of leading politicians from both sides of the aisle have condemned the attack and called on all voters to do the same.
Early on Sunday, the President sat down to speak to the American public from the Oval Office — only the third time he has made such an address.
“My fellow Americans, I want to speak to you tonight about the need for us to lower the temperature in our politics,” he said.
“Do remember, while we may disagree, we are not enemies. We’re neighbors, we’re friends, coworkers, citizens, and most importantly, we are fellow Americans. We must stand together.”
Trump toned down his typically divisive rhetoric after the shooting too.
“I’m not supposed to be here, I’m supposed to be dead,” the Republican presidential candidate said in an interview with The New York Post Sunday night.
The experience impacted his perspective on what’s important, he said.
“I had all prepared an extremely tough speech, really good, all about the corrupt, horrible administration,” he told The Post.
“But I threw it away.”
Trump said he reworked his remarks “to try to unite the country,” but added, “I don’t know if that’s possible. People are very divided.”
The former president will continue on his campaign trail this coming Wednesday in Charlotte.
Trump will hold the rally indoors at Bojangles Coliseum.
Donald Trump Rally Shooting Timeline
Donald Trump was shot at during his Pennsylvania rally on July 13.
1pm: Doors open at the Butler Farm Show grounds where Trump was expected to speak at 5pm.
4:11pm: Sean Parnell gave the opening speech.
4:35pm: David McCormick rallied the crowd.
5:10pm: Thomas Matthew Crooks, 20, later identified as the shooter, was first identified as a person of interest.
5:30pm: Crooks was spotted with a rangefinder.
5:30pm: Crowds were still waiting for Trump.
5:52pm: Crooks was spotted on the roof by Secret Service.
6:02pm: Trump takes the stage.
6:09pm: Two sniper teams posted on buildings to the north and south behind the rally stage repositioned and were locked on Crooks.
6:12pm: Gunshots were fired toward the stage as Trump delivered remarks.
6:12pm: Secret Service returns fire, confirming the shooter is dead.
6:12pm: Trump was ushered off stage by Secret Service agents.
6:42pm: Secret Service confirmed Trump is safe.
7:24pm: The shooter and one rally attendee are confirmed dead by law enforcement officials.
8:42pm: Trump confirms he was shot in the ear, sharing a statement on Truth Social.
8:49pm: The Secret Service confirms the shooter and a rally attendee are dead. Two others remain critically injured.
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