A former Marine running as a Republican write-in candidate in Florida's fifth congressional district was arrested Thursday on federal charges of threatening to kill Donald Trump, authorities said.
William Upham, 35, appeared in federal court in Jacksonville and remains in custody. Prosecutors say he faces up to five years in prison if convicted. According to the US attorney's office, the Secret Service initiated an investigation after receiving reports of threats Upham had allegedly made against the former president.
Agents reviewing Upham's social media accounts discovered two videos in which he wore his military uniform and called for violent action against Trump's administration. In one recording, Upham stated: "This is a call to arms. To all of God's children, you must overthrow the Trump administration on behalf of God." He went on to discuss combat tactics and military instruction for overthrowing what he called Trump's "forces."
The videos included specific references to weapons and methods of killing. Upham recommended using a semiautomatic rifle such as an AR-15 and described tactical approaches involving "two shots to the chest" and "one shot to the head" that he said would result in death.
Religious ideology appeared central to Upham's stated motivation. In the videos, he drew parallels between Trump and biblical descriptions of the antichrist, claiming the president matched depictions of a ruler backed by Satan who demands worship. "All of these antichrist descriptions describe President Trump," he said.
A separate communication Upham allegedly sent to a third party revealed more explicit intent. According to court documents, he stated he had created the videos to "declare war" against Trump and that he would "kill President Trump at the time that God chooses."
Investigators also determined Upham had access to firearms and had made troubling statements to law enforcement as recently as this month, authorities said.
Hung Cao, acting US secretary of the navy, responded to the case on social media, stating: "Unacceptable. William Upham is no longer a Marine and does not represent our values or ethos."
Upham's background included service as both a Marine and a state prosecutor before his candidacy this election cycle.
Author James Rodriguez: "When someone in uniform turns extremist rhetoric into specific tactical planning and weaponry recommendations, law enforcement has to treat it as a genuine threat, not campaign theater."
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