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WOODBURN, OR – Donald Leroy Smith Jr., 51, is facing federal charges after allegedly calling for the assassination of a U.S. Senator. Court papers detail a voicemail left on November 12, 2025, in which Smith reportedly vowed to “kill” the Senator, stating, “you need to be dead” and promising to “put a bullet in your head.”
Smith made an initial appearance in federal court today. A judge released him pending further proceedings.
The FBI is leading the investigation, with a broad coalition of agencies – including Capitol Police, the Secret Service, the Postal Inspection Service, Oregon State Police, and Woodburn PD – pitching in. First Assistant U.S. Attorney William M. Narus and Assistant U.S. Attorney James A. Kilcup are handling the prosecution.
Smith is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
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