Chicago Man Faces Federal Charges Over Alleged Assassination Threats Against Trump and Family
A 29-year-old Chicago resident has been taken into custody following accusations of transmitting chilling threats to assassinate former President Donald Trump and behead his teenage son, Barron Trump. Federal prosecutors allege that Michael Kovco used the official White House website to send a series of violent electronic messages in March, targeting Trump, his family, and Secret Service agents.
Escalating Threats and Specific Allegations
According to a newly unsealed criminal complaint filed in US District Court in Chicago, Kovco is accused of threatening to shoot Trump with a high-caliber sniper rifle and track down Barron Trump to kill him. Prosecutors detail that on March 19, Kovco sent a message threatening to hunt a Secret Service agent and carry out a shooting at their workplace, writing: I'm gonna hunt the secret service agent that comes to my door's family so he better not tell me any identifying information at all like first or last name or pet name or address or place of work because im going to buy a small concealable firearm and go shoot up his place of work immediately if he tells me anything.
This message was sent approximately two hours after agents visited Kovco's Chicago home. Authorities state that Kovco had initially come to their attention days earlier with a March 17 message signed: Mr. I'm going to [expletive] kill your child Kovco. He allegedly sent five more messages that day, escalating threats to hunt federal agents and kill the president.
Additional Violent Details and Investigation
In one email, Kovco allegedly wrote that he would find Barron Trump in New York City, Washington D.C., or wherever and attack him with a serrated bread knife. Prosecutors also allege he outlined plans for a sniper-style attack on Trump. When Secret Service agents visited his Chicago apartment on March 19, they did not find him at home, but someone at the residence informed them that Kovco was not taking his prescribed medication, was unemployed, and rarely left the apartment.
Authorities noted that the messages included Kovco's phone number and email address, and the IP address used matched the home he shares with two other adults. Additionally, prosecutors allege Kovco sent a separate threat on August 18 through the Central Intelligence Agency's public website.
Arrest and Legal Proceedings
Kovco was arrested on April 3 and charged with transmitting a threat in interstate commerce. Prosecutors are seeking to keep him in custody pending trial, with a detention hearing scheduled. US Attorney Andrew Boutros emphasized that political violence will be treated as a serious federal crime, while Secret Service Special Agent-in-Charge Dai Tran stated the agency aggressively pursues threats to ensure the safety of those under its protection.
Kovco is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court. If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison. This case highlights ongoing security concerns and the rigorous enforcement measures in place to address threats against public figures and their families.
