Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem publicized on Wednesday the arrest of an undocumented migrant who allegedly sent a letter threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump and indicating he would “self deport” after the act. Secretary Noem shared the letter and a photo of the arrested man on social media, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) also issued a press release regarding the incident.
The story garnered attention from numerous news outlets, and allies of the president highlighted it as an example of the perceived dangers posed by undocumented migrants and the administration’s efforts to deport them.
However, contrary to initial claims, investigators now suspect the migrant was likely the victim of a setup. Law enforcement sources familiar with the matter have informed CNN that they believe the man, identified as Ramon Morales Reyes, 54, did not author the threatening letter, which was sent to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) office and other law enforcement agencies.
Investigators are focusing on the possibility that the letter was intended to benefit another individual currently awaiting trial in a robbery and assault case in which Reyes is the victim. Authorities do not consider the threat against the president to be credible. Agents investigating the case believe an individual may have been involved in sending these letters, falsely claiming to be from Reyes, in an attempt to have Reyes deported before the robbery and assault case could proceed to trial.
A high-level law enforcement official briefed on the investigation told CNN that law enforcement determined Reyes did not write the letter after interviewing him about the threat. Federal officials obtained a handwriting sample from Reyes, and analysis revealed that his handwriting did not match that of the threatening letter. Additionally, sources told CNN that law enforcement reviewed jail calls made by an individual they suspect played a role in writing the letters. The source stated that the person inquired about specific addresses, one of which received the threatening letter.
The letter contained language such as, “We are tired of this president messing with us Mexicans,” and later stated, “I will self deport myself back to Mexico but not before I use my 30 yard 6 to shoot your precious president in the head,” possibly at a rally.
The Milwaukee Police Department informed CNN on Thursday that they are “investigating an identity theft and victim intimidation incident related to this incident” but could not provide further details due to the ongoing investigation and the fact that no criminal charges have been filed at this time. Jeffrey J. Altenburg, chief deputy district attorney for the Milwaukee district attorney’s office, confirmed via email that the matter is under investigation.
CNN has made attempts to contact attorneys representing each individual involved in these cases, including Reyes, who is currently being held in a county jail in Wisconsin. Reyes has not been charged with threatening President Trump. The Secret Service directed inquiries about the alleged threat to DHS.
Asked about the arrest and the allegations of a threat against the president, a senior Homeland Security official told CNN that the investigation into the threat is ongoing. The official stated that over the course of the investigation, Reyes was determined to be in the country illegally and to have a criminal record, and that he would remain in custody.
A spokesperson for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin told CNN that they have no charged matter involving this individual and declined to comment further.
DHS, in its initial press release regarding Reyes’ arrest, noted that “Morales entered the U.S. illegally at least nine times between 1998-2005,” and that his “criminal record includes arrests for felony hit and run, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct with a domestic abuse modifier.” The department did not comment on whether they still believed Reyes was the author of the letter.
This incident occurs amidst an environment of heightened threats against President Trump and other officials, as well as increased pressure on ICE to increase deportation numbers. In her social media post, Secretary Noem mentioned that the alleged threat came “less than two weeks after former FBI Director Comey called for the President’s assassination.” (James Comey has denied that his post was intended as a threat or associated with violence in any way.) Secretary Noem concluded her post by stating, “All politicians and members of the media should take notice of these repeated attempts on President Trump’s life and tone down their rhetoric.”
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