Federal authorities have arrested Manuel Tamayo-Torres, a 45-year-old resident of Tolleson, Arizona, for allegedly making death threats against President-elect Donald Trump and his family. Tamayo-Torres was taken into custody on November 25, 2024, in San Diego, California, following a series of videos posted on social media in which he brandished firearms and issued explicit threats.
According to court documents, Tamayo-Torres posted numerous videos on Facebook over several months, accusing Trump of kidnapping and sex-trafficking his children. However, it remains unclear whether Tamayo-Torres has any children. In a video posted on November 21, he stated, “[Y]ou’re gonna die. [Y]our son’s gonna die. Your whole family is going to die… I’m going to put a hole in your face.”
In another video from August 23, Tamayo-Torres filmed himself at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona, during a Trump rally, claiming he witnessed Trump and Secret Service agents kidnapping his daughter to sell her into prostitution.
Authorities also charged Tamayo-Torres with making false statements during firearm purchases. He allegedly lied on federal forms in 2023 while attempting to buy a pistol from a Phoenix gun store, denying any prior felony convictions despite a 2003 assault conviction in San Diego.
Tamayo-Torres is expected to be transported back to Arizona to face charges. As of now, court records do not list an attorney representing him.
This arrest comes amid a surge in threats targeting Trump and individuals within his orbit. Just this week, several of Trump’s most notable Cabinet nominees and appointees became victims of bomb threats and “swatting” attacks, where false reports are made to provoke an armed law enforcement response. According to Trump’s transition team, federal authorities are actively investigating these incidents.
Among the figures targeted were New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, nominated as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and Matt Gaetz, Trump’s initial pick for attorney general. Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, selected to lead the Department of Labor, and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin, chosen to head the Environmental Protection Agency, were also subjected to these attacks. Authorities acted swiftly to ensure the safety of the individuals and their families.
President-elect Trump was the target of two assassination attempts during his 2024 presidential campaign, one of which narrowly missed taking his life. In July, during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, a gunman armed with an AR–15–style rifle fired eight rounds, with one grazing Trump’s right ear and another striking and killing a supporter in the audience. Positioned 400 feet from the stage, the shooter was stopped by a Secret Service sniper before further harm could occur.
In a separate incident in September, a suspect armed with an AK-47 rifle was apprehended near Trump’s Florida golf course. The individual had concealed himself for nearly 12 hours before being intercepted by Secret Service agents, preventing another potential attack.
The FBI is investigating the latest incident, emphasizing the importance of protecting public figures and ensuring the safety of the democratic process.
