An individual accused of threatening to kill the President possessed the means to carry out the act, according to the FBI. Trenton Touch faces accusations after an investigation by the FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Force uncovered both threats and physical gear, according to records filed in court.
The case unfolded publicly on October 26, when law enforcement executed a 6 a.m. search warrant at Touch’s home, the Boston Globe reported. Inside the residence, agents seized a revolver-style gun, military-style knives, a hatchet, camouflage clothing, and a ballistic helmet, according to a statement from Foley’s office. A concurrent search of Touch’s grandparents’ home in Atkinson, New Hampshire, where Touch stays in the basement, yielded a rifle and a box of ammunition.
🚨#BREAKING: An #FBI Boston Joint Terrorism Task Force investigation with @TewksburyPD has led to Trenton Touch, of Tewksbury, MA, being charged with allegedly threatening to kill the President of the United States. Touch also allegedly threatened to commit a school shooting.… pic.twitter.com/gHRMUkWKzv
Meta Flags Threatening Messages Detailing Assassination Plans
The investigation began months prior when Meta, the parent company of Instagram and Facebook, flagged threatening content on September 10. According to a 15-page criminal complaint filed by FBI Special Agent Alistair Brockmeyer, charging documents show an Instagram direct message sent on June 21 featuring a photograph of the rifle later recovered in New Hampshire.
The message stated, “it’s time,” followed by, “i’m gonna kill trump,” and added, “not yet unc I suck at shooting past 200 yards.” Investigators analyzing Touch’s digital footprint also discovered chats indicating adherence to violent white supremacist, National Socialist, and accelerationist ideologies. The complaint states that Touch expressed admiration for mass shooters, specifically referencing the 2019 Christchurch mosque attacks in New Zealand, where 51 people were killed, writing that there should be constant death and misery.
“Trenton Touch is an individual whose alleged threats could not be ignored,” said United States Attorney Leah B. Foley of @DMAnews1 . “Threatening the President of the United States is a serious crime and is not protected free speech. My office will continue to work with our law… https://t.co/4RK62KSgKD”
“Trenton Touch is an individual whose alleged threats could not be ignored,” Foley said in a statement. Threatening the President is a crime not protected by free speech, and Foley’s office will continue to work with law enforcement partners to investigate and prosecute anyone who incites violence and threatens harm.
Legal Proceedings and Current Bail Status
Touch was arraigned on October 26 in Lowell District Court on three misdemeanor firearm charges and is being held on $50,000 bail on the state charges. Judge John F. Coffey ordered that if Touch posts the $50,000 bail, he is subject to home confinement with a GPS monitor and must surrender all firearms.
While state proceedings move forward, federal authorities continue building their case. Court records show Touch requested a hearing for review of bail in Lowell District Court. It remains unclear whether Touch has a lawyer in his federal case, and the attorney representing him in state court could not immediately be reached for comment.
“Trenton Touch is an alleged white supremacist who now stands accused of threatening to kill the President,” said Ted E. Docks, the FBI’s special agent in charge of the Boston division. Based on the evidence recovered by FBI Boston’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, Docks noted that Touch allegedly had the means to do it.
