A West Virginia man admitted in federal court to issuing graphic threats to rape and murder President Donald Trump, his family members, and federal immigration agents through multiple social media posts and phone calls that prompted a criminal investigation by the Harrison County Sheriff’s Department.
Explicit Threats Against First Family
Cody Lee Smith of Clarksburg pleaded guilty to charges stemming from violent messages sent through Instagram and direct phone threats to federal authorities. Smith sent a direct message to Donald Trump Jr. describing in graphic detail plans to sexually assault the president while forcing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to watch. The message concluded with threats against the president’s son as well. Smith posted another public Instagram message claiming the president deserved to be raped and murdered, tagging both Trump and his son directly.
Violent threats against law enforcement will NOT be tolerated.
Cody Lee Smith, from West Virginia, was ARRESTED for threatening both President Trump and ICE agents. Smith called the ICE tip line and threatened to KILL the tip line operator, the operator’s family, and ICE agents… pic.twitter.com/yLVU06LTKZ
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) July 7, 2026
Smith extended his threats beyond the Trump family to supporters of the administration more broadly. He posted that he would murder any Trump supporter regardless of their age, relationship to him, or mental capacity, promising to carry out killings in front of their families. The social media posts came to the attention of local law enforcement earlier this year before being referred to federal prosecutors.
Direct Threats Against Federal Agents
The defendant escalated his threatening behavior by calling the Immigration and Customs Enforcement tip line to directly threaten agents working in Clarksburg. Smith told the tip line operator he would kill ICE agents along with the operator and the operator’s family. In another social media post, Smith referenced a song titled “I Am Going to Kill the President of the United States of America” while calling for Trump’s impeachment using a firearm caliber reference.
Maximum Penalties and Federal Operation
The Department of Justice announced Smith faces up to five years in federal prison for threatening the president and an additional ten years for threatening federal agents. Prosecutors noted the case represents part of Operation Take Back America, a nationwide Justice Department initiative targeting transnational criminal organizations, violent crime perpetrators, and illegal immigration. The operation marshals full federal resources to eliminate cartel activity and protect American communities from violent criminals who threaten public safety and government officials.