Three Alabama College Students Face Federal Charges Over Alleged Trump Threat Ahead of Rally

Three college students in Alabama are facing federal charges after authorities say they made threatening statements involving President Donald Trump ahead of his campaign rally at the University of South Alabama. The three defendants — Amare Jemal Woods, Cameron Lamark Lewis and Kayla Leaann Smith — were arrested Friday in connection with the alleged threats.

Each is accused of violating a federal law prohibiting threats against the president, according to FBI affidavits filed in the cases. The arrests came as federal and local law enforcement agencies prepared for Trump’s Oct. 2 appearance at the university’s Mitchell Center in Mobile. Authorities said investigators discovered the alleged threats while conducting social media monitoring ahead of the president’s visit.

In one case, investigators said a threatening TikTok comment was posted Sept. 27 beneath content discussing Trump’s planned appearance at the University of South Alabama. The FBI subsequently sought information from TikTok and followed additional digital records involving Snapchat and university police as investigators attempted to identify the people connected to the account.

Federal authorities said information gathered during that investigation helped connect the TikTok profile to other social media activity and a phone number associated with one of the defendants. Investigators also cited a separate post allegedly made by Lewis on X.

According to the FBI affidavit, Lewis wrote that people would “remember the University of South Alabama the same way they remember Utah Valley University.” Authorities considered the reference significant because Utah Valley University was the site where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot the previous year.

The cases were unsealed following the students’ arrests and initial appearances in federal court. All three defendants were temporarily detained, with preliminary and detention hearings scheduled for Monday afternoon.

Law enforcement officials had already indicated before Trump’s visit that social media activity surrounding the rally was being closely monitored. Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said his department was assisting federal authorities with security efforts connected to the president’s appearance.

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The University of South Alabama emphasized that the campaign event itself was not organized or sponsored by the school. The Mitchell Center had instead been rented by the Republican National Committee.

University officials also issued a statement condemning threats against political figures regardless of political disagreement.

“The University of South Alabama unequivocally condemns any form of threats directed at elected officials or any individual with whom we disagree,” the school said.

The university added that disagreement and political participation are legitimate parts of public life, but said there are limits when conduct moves beyond protected expression.

“However, there is a clear line between exercising free expression and engaging in intimidation or unlawful conduct,” the university said.

Despite the arrests and heightened security surrounding the event, Trump’s rally proceeded as scheduled Friday evening.

The appearance brought Trump back to Mobile approximately 11 years after a major 2015 campaign rally in the city during the early months of his first presidential campaign.

“It sort of all began here,” Trump told the crowd while reflecting on his earlier appearance in Mobile.

Trump also recognized Sheriff Burch and University of South Alabama President Jo Bonner during his remarks from the stage.

The FBI, Secret Service and other agencies were involved in security and investigative efforts surrounding the president’s visit.

The federal cases remain ongoing, and the allegations contained in the complaints have not yet resulted in convictions. The defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence while the cases proceed through court.