A retired U.S. Coast Guard lieutenant has been federally charged for making repeated online threats to assassinate President Donald Trump, with investigators citing 13 incidents over five years and linking the suspect to violent Antifa rhetoric.
At a Glance
- Former Coast Guard lieutenant Peter Stinson charged with threats against Donald Trump
- FBI cites 13 separate threats dating back to 2020 involving guns, poison, and support for assassination
- Stinson publicly aligned with Antifa and praised violence as “necessary”
- One post following an assassination attempt read: “When he dies, the party is going to be yuge”
- Stinson is being held without bail ahead of a federal hearing
Sharpshooter Turned Suspect
According to a 19-page FBI affidavit, Peter Stinson served in the Coast Guard from 1988 to 2021 and later worked as a FEMA instructor. Despite claiming he lacked the ability to carry out an assassination, Stinson offered financial or logistical help to others, posting threats involving rifles and poison as early as April 2020.
Watch a report: Former Coast Guard Officer Accused of Threatening to Kill Trump
Antifa Affiliation and Escalating Threats
Stinson self-identified as an Antifa member in his social media posts, describing violence as “inherently necessary.” Following the 2024 assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania, he posted a disturbing message: “When he dies, the party is going to be yuge.”
His threats often included detailed language about weapons and support roles, with agents concluding the rhetoric posed an ongoing danger.
Legal Fallout and Broader Implications
Stinson faces charges under 18 U.S.C. § 871, which makes threatening a former U.S. president a federal offense punishable by up to five years in prison. A judge has ordered Stinson held without bail pending his upcoming hearing, citing the scope and consistency of the threats.
As political violence and extremism continue to rise, this case underscores the growing challenge of managing online threats—particularly when suspects have military training and ideological motives.
