Former Illinois State teaching assistant arrested for alleged Trump threats

This story is a part of Fox Information Digital’s Campus Radicals investigative sequence. Obtain the total sequence right here.

FIRST ON FOX: A former educating assistant who was fired from Illinois State College was arrested Tuesday throughout a joint operation by FBI and Secret Service brokers.

Derek Lopez, 27, is accused of threatening President Donald Trump, in accordance with the company.

“The arrest follows a month-long investigation coordinated with the above businesses, which included the Illinois State College Police Division, relating to Lopez’s on-line and private actions,” in accordance with an FBI memo obtained by Fox Information Digital. “Lopez not too long ago allegedly made threats in opposition to a sitting president, prompting the present federal fees.”

Derek Lopez was fired from his position as a educating assistant at Illinois State College after flipping a Turning Level USA desk on campus. (Credit score: X/@FrontlinesTPUSA)

He appeared in court docket for the primary time on Wednesday afternoon.

FBI Director Kash Patel described the alleged threats as “heinous.”

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“The threats in opposition to President Trump allegedly made by this particular person are heinous and don’t have any place in American society,” he informed Fox Information Digital. “Let this be a message to anybody contemplating threats of violence, not simply in opposition to authorities officers, however in opposition to each American, that this FBI will discover you and convey you to justice. “I need to thank our native companions, the El Paso Police Division, Illinois, in addition to the USSS who assisted us on this case.”

FBI Director Kash Patel speaks at a information convention on October 23, 2025 in New York Metropolis. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Pictures)

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Lopez, a graduate scholar, was fired from his position as a educating assistant at Illinois State College after a viral video confirmed him flipping over a desk belonging to members of the Turning Level USA chapter on campus.

He was seen within the video speaking to a person subsequent to the place the conservative group was promoting an upcoming look by political comic Alex Stein.

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“Properly, you understand, Jesus did it, so you understand I’ve to do it, proper?” Lopez informed the person earlier than turning the desk.

“Thanks guys, have a pleasant day,” he mentioned earlier than strolling away.

Derek Lopez was fired as a educating assistant after flipping a Turning Level USA desk at Illinois State College. (Illinois State College Police)

“Whereas Illinois State College doesn’t remark particularly on personnel issues, we will verify that Derek Lopez has been relieved of his duties as a graduate educating assistant pending additional investigation,” the varsity confirmed on October 20.

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Lopez had already been arrested by native police for the table-turning incident. He was charged with disorderly conduct and legal injury to property.

Illinois State College declined to remark.