Three students from the University of South Alabama faced arrest for alleged threats against President Donald Trump prior to his rally on campus. Information provided by sources to Fox News revealed the arrests on Friday. The charges involved threats made on social media leading up to Trump’s event, as reported by the Lagniappe Daily.
Federal cases were unsealed just hours before Trump’s scheduled appearance at the university’s Mitchell Center. Federal investigators identified the threats during social media intelligence searches and collaborated with University of South Alabama police to locate the individuals, according to FBI affidavits referenced by Lagniappe.
One student reportedly made a threatening comment under a TikTok post about Trump’s upcoming visit. Another student allegedly posted on X, likening the University of South Alabama to Utah Valley University, which is known for the tragic shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last year.
The third student allegedly responded to a TikTok post about Trump’s rally. Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch noted earlier in the week that his office was assisting federal authorities in monitoring social media activity related to the president’s visit.
The University of South Alabama clarified that the event was not university-sponsored, as the Mitchell Center was rented by the Republican National Committee. The university issued a statement condemning threats against elected officials and emphasized the importance of open dialogue and civic participation. However, they highlighted the boundary between free expression and unlawful conduct.
President Trump proceeded with the rally as planned, marking his return to Mobile after more than a decade since his previous event in 2015. During his speech, Trump acknowledged Sheriff Burch and University President Jo Bonner, and reflected on his 2015 rally as the beginning of a significant chapter in his political journey.
Fox News Digital sought additional information from the Department of Justice, FBI, Secret Service, and the University of South Alabama.