Federal prosecutors say a Rome man’s online post crossed the line from reckless talk to a criminal threat. He’s now facing serious charges.
Arrest Follows Social Media Video
It was a Friday afternoon when federal agents closed in on a 29-year-old in northwest Georgia. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, Jauan Rashun Porter had posted a video on TikTok threatening to kill President Donald Trump.
Officials say the arrest came quickly after the alleged post surfaced. Porter, who is already serving probation for previous convictions, was charged with making threats against the president — a federal offense that can bring years in prison.
“The allegations against Porter are serious and required a swift, decisive and collaborative response,” U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg said in a statement. “We do not tolerate threats against public officials or law enforcement officers.”
How the Threat Was Detected
Authorities have not released the exact wording of the TikTok video but confirmed that it was explicit enough to prompt immediate action.
Federal investigators monitor a range of online platforms for threats against elected officials, particularly in the months leading up to elections. When they see something credible, the clock starts ticking fast.
In Porter’s case, the lead came from social media surveillance efforts, according to a law enforcement source familiar with the investigation. Agents contacted local authorities, and within hours, Porter was in custody without incident.
Past Cases in Georgia Raise Alarm
Porter’s arrest is just the latest in a string of high-profile threat cases involving Georgians.
In July, a Roswell man received nearly two years in federal prison for threatening former FBI Director Christopher Wray. That same month, a Maryland man was arrested for allegedly making threatening calls to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Georgia office.
And in June, a Duluth man was indicted for leaving voicemails threatening sexual violence against U.S. Senators Ted Cruz and Deb Fischer.
These cases, prosecutors say, reflect a troubling pattern: public officials are receiving an increasing number of violent threats, often through easily accessible online platforms.
Federal Law on Threats to the President
Threatening the president is one of the most serious speech-related crimes under U.S. law. It’s covered by 18 U.S. Code § 871, which makes it illegal to knowingly and willfully make any threat to take the life of, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm on the president.
Convictions can lead to up to five years in federal prison, fines, and additional penalties if the defendant has prior criminal history.
Here’s a quick breakdown of possible consequences:
| Charge | Maximum Penalty | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Threats Against the President | 5 years federal prison | Each count treated separately |
| Probation Violation | Additional prison time | Dependent on original offense |
| Social Media Use in Crime | Sentence enhancements possible | If used to incite or target |
For Porter, who is already on probation, the stakes are even higher. A conviction could send him back to prison for his earlier offenses, on top of any new sentence.
The Social Media Factor
Threats made online — especially on platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X — pose a unique challenge for law enforcement. They can be made instantly, seen by thousands, and spread far beyond their original audience.
Some are impulsive and meant to provoke attention. Others are more calculated. Prosecutors say both can be prosecuted if they meet the legal standard for a threat.
One federal prosecutor in Atlanta, speaking generally about these cases, said, “The First Amendment doesn’t protect speech that’s a true threat. People forget that when they hit ‘post.’”
What Happens Next
Porter will likely remain in custody until a detention hearing, where a judge will decide whether to release him while the case proceeds. His legal team hasn’t commented publicly yet, and court records don’t show if he has an attorney.
The FBI is continuing to review the video and any related social media activity to determine if others were involved or if additional charges could be filed.
Meanwhile, federal prosecutors have signaled they will keep pressing these cases hard. “When people threaten the lives of public servants, we will act,” Hertzberg said.
The Bigger Picture
Political threats in the U.S. have been on the rise for years, especially during contentious election cycles. The U.S. Capitol Police reported a significant increase in threat cases since 2016, peaking in 2021 and remaining elevated since.
While many threats never lead to actual violence, each one forces law enforcement to treat it as real until proven otherwise. That means time, resources, and sometimes armed security for the targeted individual.
For communities like Rome, the case is a reminder that the digital world can bring very real consequences to a doorstep.
