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A California man has been arrested on federal charges after allegedly making death threats against Vice President JD Vance during his July visit to Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.
Marco Antonio Aguayo, 22, of Anaheim, was taken into custody Friday following a series of threatening comments posted on Disney’s official Instagram account on July 12, the same day Vance and his family were staying at the resort. According to federal authorities, the messages referenced pipe bombs, “imminent bloodshed,” and violent action against “corrupt politicians.”
Aguayo faces charges of threatening the president and successors to the presidency, as outlined in a criminal complaint filed Wednesday in U.S. District Court for the Central District of California. He is scheduled to make his initial court appearance Tuesday in U.S. District Court in Santa Ana.
“This case is a horrific reminder of the dangers public officials face from deranged criminals who would do them harm,” Attorney General Pamela Bondi said in a statement. “I am grateful that my friend Vice President Vance and his family are safe, applaud the police work that led to the arrest and will ensure my prosecutors deliver swift justice.”
According to an affidavit filed by a U.S. Secret Service Special Agent, the threats began around 6:15 p.m. on July 12, when an Instagram account posted a public comment on Disney’s page stating: “Pipe bombs have been placed in preparation for J.D. Vance’s arrival.” This was followed by additional comments, including “It’s time for us to rise up and you will be a witness to it,” and “Good luck finding all of them on time there will be bloodshed tonight and we will bathe in the blood of corrupt politicians.”
The incident represents the latest in a series of security concerns involving high-ranking government officials. Threats against public servants have risen dramatically in recent years, with law enforcement agencies reporting increased resources devoted to protecting elected officials at all levels of government.
Federal investigators traced the threatening Instagram posts to Aguayo through digital forensics, linking the account to his email address, phone numbers, and IP addresses. The investigation involved records from Meta, Google, and other technology companies that helped authorities pinpoint the suspect.
When questioned at his Anaheim home, Aguayo initially claimed his account had been hacked, according to investigators. However, he later admitted to making the posts, describing them as a “joke” and saying he had intended to delete them. Authorities reported that Aguayo consented to searches of his phone, bedroom, and laptop, which confirmed he was logged into the account that posted the threats.
“We will not tolerate criminal threats against public officials,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli said in the Department of Justice news release. “We are grateful the vice president and his family remained safe during their visit. Let this case be a warning to anyone who thinks they can make anonymous online threats. We will find you and bring you to justice.”
The Disneyland Resort, a popular tourist destination that welcomes millions of visitors annually, has comprehensive security measures in place. The resort frequently hosts high-profile guests, including government officials, celebrities, and corporate executives, requiring coordination between private security and law enforcement agencies.
This incident comes amid heightened concerns about political violence in the United States. Law enforcement agencies across the country have been on alert following the July assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania.
If convicted, Aguayo could face significant prison time. Federal laws concerning threats against the president and presidential successors carry severe penalties, reflecting the government’s priority in protecting its highest officials and maintaining peaceful democratic processes.
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11 Comments
While free speech is important, making explicit threats of violence is clearly crossing the line. I hope the legal system deals with this individual swiftly and appropriately.
Agreed. Public officials need to be able to carry out their duties without fear for their personal safety or that of their loved ones.
This is a disturbing development, but I’m glad the authorities were able to act quickly. No one should have to deal with such threats, especially while on a family vacation.
While I may not agree with all of Vice President Vance’s policies, making explicit threats of violence is completely unacceptable. I hope the legal system deals with this case firmly.
Absolutely. Disagreement is fine, but threats of harm cross a line and cannot be tolerated.
Threats of violence against elected officials, regardless of political affiliation, are completely unacceptable. I hope the justice system deals with this case swiftly and appropriately.
Agreed. Public servants should be able to go about their business without fear of harm to themselves or their families.
This is a concerning incident, but I’m relieved the authorities were able to apprehend the suspect. No one should have to face such threats, especially while on a family trip.
This is a troubling development, but I’m glad the authorities took swift action. No public official should have to worry about their safety or that of their loved ones, regardless of political affiliation.
This is a disturbing case, but I’m glad the authorities were able to act quickly to apprehend the suspect and ensure the Vice President’s safety. No one should have to deal with such violent threats for simply visiting a theme park with their family.
Absolutely. Threats of violence against public officials, regardless of political affiliation, are unacceptable and cannot be tolerated in a civil society.