Who Is Jaden J. Read? Kansas Man Arrested For Making Threats Against Trump During His Wichita Rally

A 24-year-old Kansas man, Jaden J. Read, has been arrested and charged with making threats against US President Donald Trump ahead of his scheduled visit to Wichita. Federal prosecutors allege that Read posted online comments threatening to shoot the president and claimed to have mapped rooftops near the location of Trump’s planned speech.

The US Attorney’s Office for the District of Kansas filed a criminal complaint against Read on Saturday. He was arrested the same day in Clearwater, Kansas, and will remain in federal custody pending a detention hearing.

According to prosecutors, the investigation began on October 15 after a Crime Stoppers tip alerted authorities to threatening comments posted beneath a KAKE News Facebook article about Trump’s upcoming visit.

Read allegedly made several comments threatening the president, including one stating, “Let’s shoot Trump honestly, where’s our shooter? I’m tired of living this money life.” Prosecutors said he followed it with another comment threatening to kill Trump.

Investigators subsequently found additional alleged threats beneath a separate KWCH 12 News Facebook article about the presidential visit.

In one of the comments, Read allegedly wrote, “Can we shoot him in Kansas please I will myself.”

Prosecutors said he then claimed to know where Trump would deliver his speech and had already mapped nearby rooftops.

“IK where your speech will be. Already mapped out roofs around. Finna get kirked since yall couldn’t help him,” the comment read, according to the US Attorney’s Office.

Trump’s visit to Kansas was scheduled for Monday evening at the Heartland Credit Union Arena in Park City, just north of Wichita. The president was due to hold a midterm rally in support of Republican Senator Roger Marshall, who faces Democratic challenger Adam Hamilton in November.

US Attorney Ryan A. Kriegshauser said the case demonstrated that threats and political violence would not be tolerated.

“The First Amendment allows for robust disagreement but there are constraints. I caution people to stay within the bounds of constitutionally protected speech,” Kriegshauser said in a statement.

Read remained in federal custody following his arrest, with a detention hearing pending, according to the supplied reports.

The criminal complaint centres on comments prosecutors say Read posted online before Trump’s visit. The allegations have led to federal charges, but the supplied reports do not provide further details about Read’s background or indicate the outcome of the case.

Naman is a copy editor at Times Now, with over three years experience in c… Naman is a copy editor at Times Now, with over three years experience in covering US News, politics, global affairs, sports, and other domains. Apart from reporting on current affairs, he enjoys watching, playing sports, and re-watching sitcoms. View MoreView Less