Former Airman Arrested for Threatening Trump’s Life Over Policies

U.S. Secret Service agents have arrested a former Air Force airman from Michigan, accusing him of making threats to assassinate former President Donald Trump over his administration’s policies regarding LGBTQ+ rights. According to federal court records unsealed on October 7, 2023, Joshua Levi Young, 21, from Ishpeming, has allegedly issued multiple threats since January, including statements such as “Death to Trump” and “Kill the dictator.”

The federal charges against Young include threats to kill and injure the president, as well as transmitting an interstate threat, both of which carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison. Following a detention hearing in Marquette, U.S. Magistrate Judge Maarten Vermaat ordered Young to be held without bond.

Young’s lawyer, Elizabeth LaCosse, did not provide a comment when approached for a statement regarding the case. This situation unfolds amid a notable rise in violent anti-government extremism in Michigan and across the United States, which has seen two assassination attempts against Trump in the past year.

The investigation was initiated after an anonymous tip in mid-September alerted authorities to threats Young had made on Facebook. Subsequent inquiries revealed additional posts made on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and X. In one instance, Young allegedly posted, “I am going to kill Trump raise him from the dead and kill him again,” demonstrating a concerning level of hostility.

In a detailed criminal filing, Special Agent Adam Rogers noted that the investigation led to Young as the author of these posts. On October 7, agents, along with an Ishpeming Police sergeant, conducted an interview with Young at his residence. During questioning, Young expressed his discontent with Trump’s policies, particularly those affecting the LGBTQ+ community.

Young identified as a gay, non-binary individual and voiced his frustration over the administration’s approach to LGBTQ+ rights and immigration issues. He stated, “I hurt when others hurt,” acknowledging his authorship of the threatening posts. The agent’s report detailed Young’s sentiment that the administration had failed to support and protect American citizens.

Following the interview, investigators executed a search warrant at Young’s home, seizing his electronic devices for further examination. The situation escalated when an employee at a Veterans’ Affairs clinic in Ishpeming reported that Young sought legal assistance, hinting at plans to potentially flee the country. The employee inferred that Young was attempting to find out which countries do not extradite to the United States.

As the case develops, it highlights serious concerns regarding threats against public officials amidst rising extremism in the country. The implications of Young’s actions are likely to resonate beyond the courtroom, raising questions about the broader societal impact of such threats.