An Arizona man was detained after reportedly issuing threats to assassinate former President Donald Trump.
At a Glance
- Ronald Lee Syvrud, 66, from Benson, Arizona, was arrested for allegedly making death threats against Donald Trump on social media.
- Syvrud has several outstanding warrants, including DUI charges, felony hit and run, and failing to register as a sex offender.
- The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office captured Syvrud within county lines without incident.
- Trump was visiting Cochise County, Arizona, to deliver remarks on immigration at the US-Mexico border.
Suspect Arrested for Threats Against Trump
Ronald Lee Syvrud, a 66-year-old man from Benson, Arizona, was taken into custody for allegedly threatening to assassinate former President Donald Trump. The threats came to light on social media, prompting rapid intervention from law enforcement agencies. Syvrud, who has several outstanding warrants, was arrested within county lines by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office.
The Sheriff’s Office confirmed, “This subject has been taken into custody without incident.” The quick response from the authorities underscores the serious nature of such threats, especially in today’s politically charged climate.
Southern Arizona man arrested for alleged death threats against Donald Trump https://t.co/VRYTGymiSD pic.twitter.com/Q8VIrT3BWV
— azfamily 3TV CBS 5 (@azfamily) August 22, 2024
Outstanding Warrants and Previous Crimes
Syvrud was already a wanted man even before issuing the threats against Trump. He has outstanding warrants for DUI-related charges in Wisconsin, a felony hit-and-run incident in Graham County, Arizona, and failing to register as a sex offender in Coconino County, Arizona.
He has been described as a registered sex offender in Cochise County and was already out of compliance with registration requirements. Authorities had been actively searching for him even before the threat against Trump. “We’re going to arrest him on that. But also the fact his pulse was obviously directed toward this event. So we want to talk to him about that,” said the Sheriff’s Office.
Trump’s Visit to Arizona
Trump was in Cochise County to deliver remarks on immigration at the US-Mexico border. He was unaware of the threats at the time but acknowledged the potential danger, saying, “I’ve heard it’s dangerous, but I also have a job to do… I haven’t heard about that. They probably want to keep it from me.”
In response to the threat, security was significantly heightened during Trump’s visit, with snipers and visible security forces on both sides of the border.
Continuous Threats and Security Measures
Political aggression has been a growing issue in recent years, with high-profile individuals like Trump often being targeted. Earlier this year, Trump survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. The U.S. Secret Service is aware of these threats and is currently investigating Syvrud’s case. “The U.S. Secret Service investigates all threats against our protectees,” stated a spokesperson.
As Trump continues his campaign tour across various states, the importance of robust security measures cannot be overstated to ensure the safety of both leaders and the public.
