An Illinois man is facing federal charges after authorities said he posted a video on Instagram that threatens to execute U.S. President Donald Trump.
Federal officials arrested 57-year-old Trent Schneider at his Winthrop Harbor home.
A local SWAT team helped take him into custody without incident, and federal prosecutors charged him with one count of making a threat in interstate commerce to injure a person.
Highlights
- An Illinois man, Trent Schneider, faces federal charges for posting multiple Instagram videos threatening to execute President Trump.
- Schneider repeatedly posted violent threats, including 18 videos and 20 images, some tagged near Trump Tower Chicago.
- Authorities arrested Schneider at home with SWAT assistance; he resisted officers and posted video of their departure online.
- The charge carries up to five years in prison; Schneider has a prior arrest for threatening violence and was deemed unfit for trial.
An Illinois man is facing federal charges after threatening to execute Trump
Image credits: US Attorney’s Office
The complaint is based on an Instagram video posted by Schneider, in which he threatens to execute Trump at a mass shooting event.
“I’m going to get some guns. I know where I can get a lot of f*****g guns and I am going to take care of business myself,” he allegedly said.
“I'm tired of all you f*****g frauds. People need to f*****g die, and people are going to die. F**k all of you, especially you, Trump. You should be executed.”
He captioned the video, “THIS IS NOT A THREAT!!! AFTER LOSING EVERYTHING, and My House Auction date is 11.04.2025 @realDonaldTrump SHOULD BE EXECUTED!!! SHE IS A #FRAUD and a #COWARD!!! SHE CARES NOTHING ABOUT YOU or ME!!!”
Prosecutors say Schneider posted the same video about 18 times between October 16 and October 2, and shared a separate image that states the president “should be executed” roughly 20 times between September 26 and October 21.
The complaint also notes that some posts attached a geolocation tag for the Trump Tower in Chicago.
A concerned citizen in Florida reported the material to authorities after seeing one of the posts, according to the complaint.
Schneider posted 18 videos and 20 images calling for Trump’s execution
Federal agents visited Schneider’s home on October 22, but officials claimed he “became irate and started yelling for the officers to get off his property.”
Schneider allegedly filmed the officers as they left the driveway an hour later and shared the video online.
He was arrested on Monday with the help of a local SWAT team.
During his initial federal court appearance, Schneider asked to be placed in the so-called “Trump motel” and asked for “popcorn” while he awaited a detention hearing, which a judge scheduled for Thursday at 2 p.m.
Image credits: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
According to the criminal complaint, Schneider is facing “pending foreclosure action,” and an auction is scheduled for November 4. He will remain in custody until at least his next court hearing.
Schneider faces a maximum prison sentence of five years if convicted on the interstate threat charge.
Authorities also listed a recent criminal history in the complaint, noting a December 2022 arrest after Schneider allegedly threatened to “shoot up” a retail store, and said he was later found unfit to stand trial in that case.
The arrest comes amid heightened concern over threats and attacks against public figures.
Prosecutors pointed to prior attempts on Trump’s life in recent years, including a 2024 conviction in Florida of Ryan Routh, who authorities say attempted to assassinate Trump at a golf course.