A former teaching assistant at Illinois State University has been charged with allegedly 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 hearings on November 3, 2025, at the Peoria federal courthouse. 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, Lopez is seen telling a man, “Well, you know, Jesus did it, so you know I gotta do it, right?” before overturning the table and 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 that Lopez’s online activity, including posts referencing violence against public figures, prompted the federal charges. According to an affidavit, Lopez wrote on social media that he had “killed” Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist slain in Utah last month, and posted content depicting Trump with a target on his head. He also allegedly claimed, “I’m gonna kill Donald Trump,” in a post on X. Lopez defended his actions as “performance art” and cited First Amendment protections, though his lawyer did not comment.

The FBI emphasized that threats against political figures have no place in society, with Director Kash Patel stating such acts will be met with “justice.” The case comes amid heightened scrutiny of security for public officials following recent attacks on politicians across the U.S.