A Miami Beach resident, Nathaniel Sanders II, appeared in federal court on May 5 after being charged with making repeated online threats to assassinate President Donald J. Trump and other senior U.S. officials.
The case highlights the seriousness of threatening public officials, which authorities say endangers both public safety and the rule of law. According to court records, Sanders allegedly used X and Instagram between January and April 2026 to post multiple threats targeting President Trump, Secretary of State and Acting National Security Advisor Marco Rubio, as well as former Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
"Threats against public officials are not political speech," said U.S. Attorney Jason A. Reding Quiñones for the Southern District of Florida. "They are serious federal crimes that endanger public safety and the rule of law. The complaint alleges that this defendant repeatedly threatened to assassinate the President of the United States and other senior officials. Those allegations will now be tested in court. Our Office will continue working with the U.S. Secret Service and our law enforcement partners to investigate threats, protect public officials, and ensure that those who violate federal law are held accountable. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt." Special Agent in Charge Michael Townsend of the U.S. Secret Service Miami Field Office said: "Making threats against the President of the United States is a federal crime, and we treat it with the seriousness it deserves every time... It does not matter where the threat is made or what platform is used, our agents will identify you, investigate you, and work alongside our federal and local partners to bring charges when appropriate... We remain relentless in our mission to protect the President and to act swiftly against anyone who puts others at risk."
Sanders faces charges for threatening the President as well as transmitting threats across state lines; if convicted he could receive up to ten years in prison.
The investigation was led by agents from several agencies including U.S. Secret Service's Miami Field Office—with support from U.S Capitol Police, Diplomatic Security Service, and Miami Beach Police Department—and prosecuted by Assistant U.S Attorney Justin Meckler Silverberg.
The Southern District of Florida prosecutes federal criminal cases such as this one across about 15,197 square miles serving more than seven million residents through multiple offices located throughout its region according to its official website.
All defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
