Teaching Assistant Fired for Flipping out at Turning Point USA event, Arrested for Allegedly Threatening to Kill Trump
By Emily Crane
An Illinois State University teaching assistant fired for violently flipping a Turning Point USA table on campus has now been arrested for allegedly threatening to kill President Trump.
Derek Lopez, 27, was nabbed after he allegedly spewed a slew of vile threats on social media earlier this week — including one where he boldly declared, “I’m gonna kill Donald Trump,” according to the feds.
In one post over the weekend, Lopez allegedly posted a video of a man pointing a gun at a graphic of Trump with a target on his head, the criminal complaint states.
Derek Lopez was arrested for allegedly threatening to kill President Trump
A teacher’s assistant at Illinois State University flips over a Turning Point USA table.
A picture of Derek Lopez appearing to threaten President Trump
Derek Lopez’s affidavit where he reportedly made threats on social media.
“This is the perfect time to kill the president! The Secret Service is down!” he allegedly commented on one of the Secret Service’s Instagram posts on Monday.
A picture of Derek Lopez’s affidavit.
Lopez was hit with federal charges over the alleged threats and faces up to five years in prison if convicted, prosecutors said.
The Turning Point USA video of Derek Lopez flipping over a table.
“The threats against President Trump allegedly posted by this individual are heinous and have no place in our society,’ FBI director Kash Patel said of his arrest.
“Let this be a message: anyone who threatens violence against public officials or any American will be found and brought to justice.”
Screen shots of Derek Lopez’s affidavit.
The grad student’s arrest comes just two weeks after he was let go from his teaching assistant position when footage of his hot-headed table flip went viral on social media.
Lopez was caught on camera storming over to the table where the school’s TPUSA chapter — the conservative group started by the late Charlie Kirk — were advertising an upcoming event on campus.
“Well, you know, Jesus did it, so you know I gotta do it, right?” Lopez could be heard saying before upending the table — sending pins and flyers rocketing into the air.
Screenshots of Derek Lopez’s affidavit.
Before strolling away, he sneered: “Thanks guys, have a great day.”
He was arrested by local cops in the wake of the table saga and slapped with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property charges.
