A former teaching assistant at Illinois State University has been charged with making threats against President Donald J. Trump, according to federal authorities. Derek Lopez, 27, of El Paso, Illinois, was arrested on October 28, 2025, and is scheduled for preliminary and detention hearings on November 3, 2025, at the federal courthouse in Peoria. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Central District of Illinois confirmed the charges, which stem from an investigation involving the FBI and local law enforcement.
Lopez, a graduate student, was previously fired from his role as a teaching assistant after a viral video captured him flipping over a table belonging to members of the Turning Point USA chapter on campus. In the footage, he is heard saying, “Well, you know, Jesus did it, so you know I gotta do it, right?” before walking away with the comment, “Thanks guys, have a great day.” Illinois State University confirmed his removal from the position pending further investigation.
The FBI stated Lopez’s alleged threats against Trump were discovered through an anonymous tip to the National Threats Operation Center in mid-September. The investigation revealed online statements, including posts where Lopez claimed to have killed Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist recently fatally shot in Utah, and expressed intentions to harm Trump. One social media post featured a video of a man pointing a gun at an illustration of Trump with a target on his forehead.
FBI Director Kash Patel condemned the alleged threats, calling them “heinous” and emphasizing that violence against public officials would not be tolerated. Lopez faces potential charges of making threats against a sitting president, which could carry a maximum sentence of five years in prison. His lawyer has not yet commented. The case highlights ongoing concerns about security for political figures following recent attacks on U.S. leaders.