A Grand Rapids man has been sentenced to two years in federal prison for posting online threats to kill the President, Vice President, and one of the President’s children. James Donald Vance, Jr., 67, received his sentence from U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney in Kalamazoo, Michigan. The judge described Vance’s actions as “grievous conduct” that warranted a prison term to deter similar offenses.
According to court records, Vance used the alias “Diaperjdv” on the social media platform Bluesky in March and April 2025 to make specific threats against four individuals, including President Donald J. Trump and Vice President JD Vance. In one post, he stated he did not care if he was shot by Secret Service or spent the rest of his life in prison for his actions. He pleaded guilty to two felony charges: threatening to kill or injure the President and Vice President and interstate threatening communications. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a $250,000 fine.
This sentencing marks the second time within a month that someone has been sentenced in the Western District of Michigan for threatening to kill the President. On October 20, 2025, Richard James Spring of Comstock Park was sentenced by U.S. District Judge Jane M. Beckering in Grand Rapids to 18 months in prison and fined $2,000 after pleading guilty to threatening President Trump following another criminal offense.
United States Attorney Timothy VerHey commented on the case: “The advent of the internet gives us all an opportunity to engage in the healthy exchange of ideas that are so important to a democracy. But some would rather use this tool to threaten and intimidate, conduct that causes fear and damages our democratic ideals. When Vance said he planned to kill our President and the Vice President simply because he disagreed with them, he crossed a line we all understand and so had to be punished.”
William Shink, Special Agent in Charge of the United States Secret Service’s Detroit Field Office added: “Threats against our nation’s leaders and their families will not be tolerated. Individuals who threaten the President, Vice President or any U.S. Secret Service protectee will be investigated and held accountable for their actions.”
Both cases were investigated by agents from the Grand Rapids office of the United States Secret Service.
