Ronald Lee Syvrud, a 66-year-old resident of Benson, Arizona, was placed under arrest on August 22, 2024 for allegedly issuing death threats against former President Donald Trump via social media. The arrest occurred during a traffic stop following a manhunt launched by the Cochise County Sheriff’s Office.
On the day of Syvrud’s arrest, Trump was in Cochise County, delivering a speech near the U.S.-Mexico border as part of his 2024 campaign. The Cochise County Sheriff’s Office reported that Syvrud had posted threats against the former president on social media platforms over the preceding week. The specific content of the threats was not revealed, but law enforcement asserted its commitment to a zero-tolerance policy when it comes to threats against public figures.
Syvrud had eluded authorities prior to his arrest and was wanted on multiple charges in Arizona and Wisconsin. His outstanding warrants included driving under the influence (DUI), failure to appear in court, hit-and-run, and non-compliance with sex offender registration requirements. The Sheriff’s office verified that Syvrud was a “significant lead in threats to kill a presidential candidate,” making his apprehension a high priority before Trump’s border visit.
Law enforcement officials attempted to locate Syvrud at his home on Wednesday evening, but were unsuccessful. The search continued into Thursday, resulting in his arrest without any incidents.
Heightened security measures were in place for Trump’s visit, including increased numbers of Secret Service agents and local law enforcement officers. This followed the previous assassination attempt at a Pennsylvania rally, from which Trump had narrowly escaped six weeks before.
While Trump was not given specific details about the Syvrud case before his arrival, he did acknowledge the frequency of threats against him in his current life.
Currently, Syvrud is in custody facing numerous charges, including threatening a presidential candidate. His earlier charges, spread across several states, will be addressed in court. This incident reflects the larger issue of threats directed at high-profile political figures during the 2024 election cycle.
