Butler County Man Arrested for Threatening President Trump and Federal Agents in Growing Wave of Political Violence

A Pennsylvania man stands accused of threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump and other high-ranking U.S. officials, intensifying national concerns over the rise of political extremism and online threats. The federal charges, announced Friday, highlight the vigilance and urgency of law enforcement as the country faces an escalating climate of partisan hostility and violence toward public servants.

Federal authorities identified Shawn Monper, 32, of Butler County, as the suspect behind a string of violent online threats posted between January and April. According to affidavits and criminal complaints, Monper—using the YouTube handle “Mr Satan”—openly advocated for violence against President Trump, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, and other federal officials. These acts included explicit statements of intent to commit violence, inciting an “American Revolution 2.0,” and purchasing weapons and ammunition.

The investigation, led by the FBI and assisted by the Butler Township Police Department, pieced together Monper’s online activity with his real-world identity. Authorities revealed that Monper obtained a firearms permit soon after Trump’s inauguration and posted messages indicating he had been buying one gun a month and stockpiling ammunition since the election. Significantly, one comment in March 2025 stated, “Eventually I’m going to do a mass shooting.”

The threats laid out in the criminal complaint were both specific and chilling. On February 17, Monper wrote, “We just need to start killing people, Trump, Elon [Musk], all the heads of agencies Trump appointed…” In a subsequent post on March 4, he threatened outright assassination of the president and, in later posts, encouraged violence against ICE agents, labeling them “terrorist people.”

Federal agents, assisted by Google providing data about the YouTube account, located and arrested Monper in an operation led by an FBI SWAT team on April 9 in Butler Township. Legal proceedings have begun, with Monper facing four counts of violating Title 18 of the United States Code, which prohibits threats against federal officials.

Attorney General Pamela Bondi commended investigators, stating, “I want to applaud the outstanding and courageous investigative work of the FBI and the Butler Township Police Department, who thankfully identified and apprehended this individual before he could carry out his threats... Rest assured that whenever and wherever threats of assassination or mass violence occur, this Department of Justice will find, arrest, and prosecute the suspect to the fullest extent of the law and seek the maximum appropriate punishment.” Monper’s hearing is scheduled for April 14 in Pittsburgh federal court.

This high-profile arrest underscores the dangerous intersection of social media and political rage, as well as the persistent threat such rhetoric poses to democracy and public safety. The rapid mobilization of law enforcement in this case may have prevented yet another tragedy involving targeted political violence.

The unfolding case raises urgent questions: How can authorities better detect and deter such threats in a digital age? What conversations should Americans be having about the responsibilities—and hazards—of online speech? Share your perspectives in the comments below.

• Butler County
• Donald Trump
• Shawn Monper