Latest news with #assassination
The Guardian
6 hours ago
- General
- The Guardian
Undocumented man accused of making threat to Trump's life may be victim of frame-up
An undocumented man who was accused by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) secretary, Kristi Noem, last week of threatening to assassinate Donald Trump in a letter may have been framed by someone accused of previously attacking the man, according to news reports. Investigators are said to be looking into whether the letter was an attempt to get the man deported, to prevent him from testifying against his alleged attacker. The extremely public accusation against the 54-year-old father of three, Ramon Morales-Reyes, led to his arrest and detention by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) officials. News reports from CNN, ABC and the Associated Press detail Morales-Reyes' case and how Noem's highly publicized accusation against him appears to have unraveled. Prior to Noem accusing Morales-Reyes of threatening to kill the president, local investigators in Milwaukee were already reportedly investigating whether the letter was a setup. Morales-Reyes was allegedly assaulted by a man in September 2023, who slashed him with a box cutter before stealing his bike. As the case prepared to go to trial, Ice this month received the letter threatening to assassinate Trump. 'I will self deport myself back to Mexico but not before I use my 30 yard 6 to shoot your precious president,' the handwritten letter says, which was completely written in English and signed with Morales-Reyes' name. Morales-Reyes was arrested and detained. But local investigators compared Morales-Reyes' handwriting with the letter and found they did not match. Meanwhile, activists and attorneys began working on his case. Local Wisconsin immigration advocates and attorneys, with Morales-Reyes' family, said during a press release on Friday that Morales-Reyes did not write the letter. 'A family member called our organizers, letting us know that this was impossible, as her father had very little formal education and could not read or write in Spanish – let alone perfect English,' said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, the executive director of Voces de la Frontera, an immigrant advocacy organization. Citing police documents it had obtained, CNN reported that Milwaukee officials on Monday began reviewing jailhouse calls from the individual accused of having assaulted Morales-Reyes and discovered he discussed sending letters to Ice in order to frame his alleged victim. He reportedly wanted to have Morales-Reyes deported to prevent him from testifying in the robbery trial. 'He outta there,' the person said in a phone call earlier in May, according to the CNN report, and described how Trump's return to office was increasing deportations. Sign up to This Week in Trumpland A deep dive into the policies, controversies and oddities surrounding the Trump administration after newsletter promotion On Wednesday, Noem began sharing the accusation against Morales-Reyes, along with his photo and an image of the letter, which were posted in a press release on the DHS website. The accusation quickly spread on social media and rightwing, Trump-allied sites. 'Thanks to our Ice officers, this illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump is behind bars,' Noem said. 'I will continue to take all measures necessary to ensure the protection of President Trump.' Local officials and the DHS told the Associated Press that the case is still under investigation. After the 2023 assault, Morales-Reyes applied for a U-visa – a special visa provided to undocumented victims of crime that may lead to a pathway to legal residency. The process to obtain a U-visa is lengthy and complicated. It is unclear whether Noem will issue a correction on the matter, if Morales-Reyes will be able to testify against the alleged perpetrator or how his U-visa application process may be affected by him being placed in Ice detention.
Yahoo
19 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Undocumented Wisconsin man accused of threatening to kill president
The Brief An undocumented Wisconsin man is accused of threatening to kill the president. Homeland Security Sec. Kristi Noem said that man is Ramon Morales-Reyes who lives and works in Milwaukee. Morales-Reyes' attorney and supporters said he is innocent. MILWAUKEE - An undocumented Wisconsin man threatened to kill President Donald Trump. At least that is what the U.S. Homeland Security Secretary said. But FOX6 News found out, there is an investigation into whether the man was framed. What we know A handwritten note in English threatens to shoot the president. It reads as follows: "We are tired of this President messing with us Mexicans - we have done more for this country than you white people - you have been deporting my family and I think it is time Donald J. Trump get what he has coming to him. I will self-deport myself back to Mexico but not before I use my 30 yard 6 to shoot your precious president in his head - I will see him at one of his big ralleys." FREE DOWNLOAD: Get breaking news alerts in the FOX LOCAL Mobile app for iOS or Android Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem wrote on Wednesday, "Thanks to our ICE officers, this illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump is behind bars." Noem said that man is Ramon Morales-Reyes who lives and works in Milwaukee. His attorney and supporters said he is innocent. What they're saying "He does not speak any English. And definitely cannot write it," said Kime Abduli, the attorney for Morales-Reyes. "Family called our organizers letting us know that this was impossible, as her father had very little formal education and could not read or write in Spanish, let alone English," said Christine Neumann-Ortiz, Executive Director of Voces De La Frontera. ICE arrested the man near 9th and National on the city's south side on May 22. He is now locked up in Dodge County. Immigrant rights organization Voces De La Frontera witnessed the arrest and has been in touch with the man's family. "This false claim has no had the consequence that the family feels that their lives are being threatened, because of the comments being made against them on social media. They want his name cleared," Neumann-Ortiz said. Dig deeper Supporters ask, was the letter a set-up? "Who wrote it? Whether it may have been the defendant in that criminal case, in which Ramon is a witness, or if it was someone else related to him. At this point, we don't have enough information to say. That's kind of an ongoing investigation right now," Abduli said. His attorneys said Morales-Reyes is a witness and victim of armed robbery and reckless endangerment. He is set to testify in that upcoming trial. "He's also contributing to keeping our communities safer," said Cain Oulahan, attorney for Morales-Reyes. "I mean he's a victim, and he came forward and cooperated with law enforcement and if he and others like him are not willing to come forward, and talk about their crimes and work with the police and the prosecutors, it's going to have a chilling effect, if people think they'll be deported if they come forward." Milwaukee police tell FOX6 News it is investigating identity theft and victim intimidation. But no one has been charged in that case. SIGN UP TODAY: Get daily headlines, breaking news emails from FOX6 News On Friday, a Homeland Security official said, "The investigation into the threat is ongoing. Over the course of the investigation, this individual was determined to be in the country illegally and that he had a criminal record. He will remain in custody." What's next Morales-Reyes' family is now asking the Homeland Security Secretary to clear their father's name. Voces De La Frontera said that family has faced threats. Morales-Reyes has a hearing in immigration court in Chicago next week. The Source The information in this post was produced by FOX6 News.
CNN
2 days ago
- General
- CNN
Exclusive: Kristi Noem said a migrant threatened to kill Trump. Investigators think he was set up
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted a stunning allegation on Wednesday: A undocumented migrant sent a letter threatening to kill President Donald Trump, promising to 'self deport' after the assassination. 'Thanks to our ICE officers, this illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump is behind bars,' Noem wrote in a social media post that included the letter and a picture of the man arrested. DHS also sent out a press release. The story was picked up by multiple news outlets. The president's allies used it to highlight what they see as the dangers of undocumented migrants and the work of the administration to boot them out of the country. The problem: Investigators believe the migrant was a victim of a setup. Law enforcement believes the man, Ramon Morales Reyes, 54, never wrote the letter, which was sent to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office and other law enforcement agencies, several sources familiar with the matter told CNN. Instead, investigators suspect the letter was intended to benefit a separate individual who is currently awaiting trial in a robbery and assault case in which Reyes is a victim. They do not consider the threat to be credible. In investigating the case, agents believe the person may have been involved in sending these letters, claiming to be from Reyes, in an attempt to have Reyes deported before the case could go to trial, sources said. A high-level law enforcement official who was briefed on the case told CNN that law enforcement determined Reyes did not write the letter when they interviewed him regarding the threat. Federal officials asked for a handwriting sample from Reyes and determined his handwriting and the threatening letter didn't match. Further, a source told CNN law enforcement reviewed jail calls made by a person they believe played a role in penning the letters. The source said the person asked about specific addresses, one of which received the letter. 'We are tired of this president messing with us Mexicans,' the letter says, adding later, 'I will self deport myself back to Mexico but not before I use my 30 yard 6 to shoot your precious president in the head,' possibly at a rally. The Milwaukee Police Department told CNN on Thursday it is 'investigating an identity theft and victim intimidation incident related to this incident' but could not provide details as the investigation is ongoing and 'no one has been criminally charged at this time.' Jeffrey J. Altenburg, chief deputy district attorney for the Milwaukee district attorney's office, said in an email the matter is under investigation. CNN has attempted to reach attorneys for each person involved in these cases, including Reyes, who is currently being held in a county jail in Wisconsin. Reyes has not been charged with threatening Trump. The Secret Service referred an inquiry about the alleged threat to DHS. Asked about the arrest and allegations of a threat against the president, a senior Homeland Security official told CNN: 'The investigation into the threat is ongoing. Over the course of the investigation, this individual was determined to be in the country illegally and that he had a criminal record. He will remain in custody.' A spokesperson for the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin told CNN they have 'no charged matter involving this individual,' and declined to comment further. 'Morales entered the U.S. illegally at least nine times between 1998-2005,' DHS said in its original press release on Reyes' arrest. 'His criminal record includes arrests for felony hit and run, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct with a domestic abuse modifier.' The department would not comment on whether they still believed Reyes was the author of the letter. The incident comes amid a heightened environment of threats against Trump and officials as well as increased pressure on ICE to ramp up deportation numbers. In her post, Noem wrote that the alleged threat came 'less than two weeks after former FBI Director Comey called for the President's assassination.' (James Comey has denied the post was meant as a threat or at all associated with violence.) 'All politicians and members of the media should take notice of these repeated attempts on President Trump's life and tone down their rhetoric,' the secretary added.
CNN
2 days ago
- General
- CNN
Exclusive: Kristi Noem said a migrant threatened to kill Trump. Investigators think he was set up
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted a stunning allegation on Wednesday: A undocumented migrant sent a letter threatening to kill President Donald Trump, promising to 'self deport' after the assassination. 'Thanks to our ICE officers, this illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump is behind bars,' Noem wrote in a social media post that included the letter and a picture of the man arrested. DHS also sent out a press release. The story was picked up by multiple news outlets. The president's allies used it to highlight what they see as the dangers of undocumented migrants and the work of the administration to boot them out of the country. The problem: Investigators believe the migrant was a victim of a setup. Law enforcement believes the man, Ramon Morales Reyes, 54, never wrote the letter, which was sent to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office and other law enforcement agencies, several sources familiar with the matter told CNN. Instead, investigators suspect the letter was intended to benefit a separate individual who is currently awaiting trial in a robbery and assault case in which Reyes is a victim. They do not consider the threat to be credible. In investigating the case, agents believe the person may have been involved in sending these letters, claiming to be from Reyes, in an attempt to have Reyes deported before the case could go to trial, sources said. A high-level law enforcement official who was briefed on the case told CNN that law enforcement determined Reyes did not write the letter when they interviewed him regarding the threat. Federal officials asked for a handwriting sample from Reyes and determined his handwriting and the threatening letter didn't match. Further, a source told CNN law enforcement reviewed jail calls made by a person they believe played a role in penning the letters. The source said the person asked about specific addresses, one of which received the letter. 'We are tired of this president messing with us Mexicans,' the letter says, adding later, 'I will self deport myself back to Mexico but not before I use my 30 yard 6 to shoot your precious president in the head,' possibly at a rally. The Milwaukee Police Department told CNN on Thursday it is 'investigating an identity theft and victim intimidation incident related to this incident' but could not provide details as the investigation is ongoing and 'no one has been criminally charged at this time.' Jeffrey J. Altenburg, chief deputy district attorney for the Milwaukee district attorney's office, said in an email the matter is under investigation. CNN has attempted to reach attorneys for each person involved in these cases, including Reyes, who is currently being held in a county jail in Wisconsin. Reyes has not been charged with threatening Trump. The Secret Service referred an inquiry about the alleged threat to DHS. Asked about the arrest and allegations of a threat against the president, a senior Homeland Security official told CNN: 'The investigation into the threat is ongoing. Over the course of the investigation, this individual was determined to be in the country illegally and that he had a criminal record. He will remain in custody.' A spokesperson for the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin told CNN they have 'no charged matter involving this individual,' and declined to comment further. 'Morales entered the U.S. illegally at least nine times between 1998-2005,' DHS said in its original press release on Reyes' arrest. 'His criminal record includes arrests for felony hit and run, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct with a domestic abuse modifier.' The department would not comment on whether they still believed Reyes was the author of the letter. The incident comes amid a heightened environment of threats against Trump and officials as well as increased pressure on ICE to ramp up deportation numbers. In her post, Noem wrote that the alleged threat came 'less than two weeks after former FBI Director Comey called for the President's assassination.' (James Comey has denied the post was meant as a threat or at all associated with violence.) 'All politicians and members of the media should take notice of these repeated attempts on President Trump's life and tone down their rhetoric,' the secretary added.
CNN
2 days ago
- General
- CNN
Exclusive: Kristi Noem said a migrant threatened to kill Trump. Investigators think he was set up
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem posted a stunning allegation on Wednesday: A undocumented migrant sent a letter threatening to kill President Donald Trump, promising to 'self deport' after the assassination. 'Thanks to our ICE officers, this illegal alien who threatened to assassinate President Trump is behind bars,' Noem wrote in a social media post that included the letter and a picture of the man arrested. DHS also sent out a press release. The story was picked up by multiple news outlets. The president's allies used it to highlight what they see as the dangers of undocumented migrants and the work of the administration to boot them out of the country. The problem: Investigators believe the migrant was a victim of a setup. Law enforcement believes the man, Ramon Morales Reyes, 54, never wrote the letter, which was sent to an Immigration and Customs Enforcement office and other law enforcement agencies, several sources familiar with the matter told CNN. Instead, investigators suspect the letter was intended to benefit a separate individual who is currently awaiting trial in a robbery and assault case in which Reyes is a victim. They do not consider the threat to be credible. In investigating the case, agents believe the person may have been involved in sending these letters, claiming to be from Reyes, in an attempt to have Reyes deported before the case could go to trial, sources said. A high-level law enforcement official who was briefed on the case told CNN that law enforcement determined Reyes did not write the letter when they interviewed him regarding the threat. Federal officials asked for a handwriting sample from Reyes and determined his handwriting and the threatening letter didn't match. Further, a source told CNN law enforcement reviewed jail calls made by a person they believe played a role in penning the letters. The source said the person asked about specific addresses, one of which received the letter. 'We are tired of this president messing with us Mexicans,' the letter says, adding later, 'I will self deport myself back to Mexico but not before I use my 30 yard 6 to shoot your precious president in the head,' possibly at a rally. The Milwaukee Police Department told CNN on Thursday it is 'investigating an identity theft and victim intimidation incident related to this incident' but could not provide details as the investigation is ongoing and 'no one has been criminally charged at this time.' Jeffrey J. Altenburg, chief deputy district attorney for the Milwaukee district attorney's office, said in an email the matter is under investigation. CNN has attempted to reach attorneys for each person involved in these cases, including Reyes, who is currently being held in a county jail in Wisconsin. Reyes has not been charged with threatening Trump. The Secret Service referred an inquiry about the alleged threat to DHS. Asked about the arrest and allegations of a threat against the president, a senior Homeland Security official told CNN: 'The investigation into the threat is ongoing. Over the course of the investigation, this individual was determined to be in the country illegally and that he had a criminal record. He will remain in custody.' A spokesperson for the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Wisconsin told CNN they have 'no charged matter involving this individual,' and declined to comment further. 'Morales entered the U.S. illegally at least nine times between 1998-2005,' DHS said in its original press release on Reyes' arrest. 'His criminal record includes arrests for felony hit and run, criminal damage to property and disorderly conduct with a domestic abuse modifier.' The department would not comment on whether they still believed Reyes was the author of the letter. The incident comes amid a heightened environment of threats against Trump and officials as well as increased pressure on ICE to ramp up deportation numbers. In her post, Noem wrote that the alleged threat came 'less than two weeks after former FBI Director Comey called for the President's assassination.' (James Comey has denied the post was meant as a threat or at all associated with violence.) 'All politicians and members of the media should take notice of these repeated attempts on President Trump's life and tone down their rhetoric,' the secretary added.
