UPDATE: A Wisconsin man has been charged with making direct threats against federal law enforcement, specifically Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, through a series of alarming TikTok videos. Andrew Stanton, 38, from Kenosha, was arrested last week and indicted on November 1 on three federal charges, including threats to assault a US official.
This urgent situation arises amid escalating tensions across the nation regarding immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. Federal prosecutors revealed that Stanton’s videos, posted from August to October 2023, included explicit calls for violence against ICE agents. In one particularly chilling clip, just four days before his arrest, Stanton urged viewers, “If they (ICE) show up to your neighborhood…it’s time we start shooting at you,” according to court documents.
Stanton pleaded not guilty during his arraignment on November 2 in US District Court in Milwaukee. Authorities assert that his threats extend beyond mere rhetoric, with Stanton allegedly suggesting that “mass shootings can be applied to federal agents.” In a video posted on September 10, he referenced the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, saying, “do a lot more Charlie Kirks,” raising serious alarm.
The investigation into Stanton began in August, following a tip from the Wisconsin Statewide Intelligence Center, which monitors potential terror activities. Investigators noted that Stanton had been inquiring about the locations of Israeli military members in Illinois and Wisconsin.
In one disturbing video from late August, Stanton displayed messages stating, “a violent state can only be stopped with violence in return” and “I think we should be OFFING federal agents.” He reportedly said, “You have to use bullets,” emphasizing the severity of his threats.
Federal law enforcement attempted to interview Stanton several times without success. On September 11, an agent from US Customs and Border Protection reached out, only to be met with hostility; Stanton responded with expletives and aggressive messages.
A pretrial conference for Stanton’s case is scheduled for December 1, with the trial set to begin on December 15. A judge has ordered that he remain detained pending trial.
Authorities continue to stress that ICE agents are facing an increase in attacks, with the Department of Homeland Security reiterating their focus on apprehending the “worst of the worst” in immigration enforcement.
This developing story raises critical questions about public safety and the implications of online threats, drawing attention to the heightened risks faced by federal agents in today’s charged political climate. As Stanton’s case unfolds, the nation watches closely, reflecting growing concerns over the intersection of social media and violent rhetoric.
