⏱ 2 min read
A 39-year-old Rochester man, James Gerald Eckert Jr., has been arrested and charged with making threats to kill, kidnap, or harm Donald Trump Jr., the son of former President Donald Trump. The threats were made on June 18, 2026, in the live chat feed of Trump Jr.’s podcast ‘Triggered with Donald Trump Jr.’ and on the online video platform Rumble. Eckert Jr. also made similar threats against the CEO of Rumble and had previously posted threatening messages against Rochester Mayor Malik Evans and New York State Senator Samra Brouk.
The threats, which included statements like ‘I’m going to kill you’ and ‘you’re dead’, were made by Eckert Jr. using his own username and were reported to the Secret Service. An investigation was launched, and Eckert Jr. was subsequently arrested and charged with threats to kill, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm upon a member of the immediate family of the President, which carries a maximum penalty of 5 years in prison.
Eckert Jr.’s online activities have raised concerns about the ease with which individuals can make threats against public figures and the need for increased vigilance and security measures to protect them. The case highlights the importance of taking online threats seriously and holding individuals accountable for their actions.
The arrest and charging of Eckert Jr. demonstrate the commitment of law enforcement agencies to protecting public figures and ensuring that those who make threats against them are brought to justice. The investigation and prosecution of this case are a reminder that threats against public figures will not be tolerated and that those who make them will face serious consequences.
📋 Key Facts
- Crime: Violent Crime
- Defendant: New York
- Location: NY
- Source: DOJ Press Release
