Federal prosecutors have indicted a South Carolina inmate for allegedly threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump, marking the third time the individual has faced federal charges for targeting a sitting U.S. Commander-in-Chief. Eric Rome Jr., 37, who is currently serving time for armed robbery, allegedly sent a letter from prison detailing a “guaranteed” sniper attack against the President and other high-ranking officials.
A Pattern of Presidential Threats
The Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed that Rome, an inmate at the Kirkland Correctional Institution, allegedly dispatched a threatening letter on Jan. 6 addressed to the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews in Chicago. According to the indictment, the correspondence contained explicit vows to murder President Trump and conduct a “war on the federal government.”
This latest legal action follows a disturbing and documented history of recidivism. Rome has previously been convicted of making similar threats against:
- Former President Barack Obama (2015 Indictment)
- Former President Joe Biden (2022 Indictment)
Targets Beyond the Oval Office
The scope of Rome’s alleged threats in the most recent letter extended to other prominent political figures. Prosecutors state that Rome specifically named U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee and his daughter, Florida Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, as targets for execution.
“These are guarantees!” Rome wrote, according to federal court documents. “We are also going to shoot Ambassador Mike Huckabee and his daughter, Sarah.”
The letter also contained vitriolic rhetoric directed at religious groups, claiming that “hunting” would begin against Christian and Jewish citizens in the near future.
Extremist Affiliations and “Sniper Attack” Plans
Rome has a documented history of self-identifying with extremist ideologies. In previous federal cases, he described himself as a white supremacist and a member of the Aryan Brotherhood of South Carolina and the Proud Boys.
The current indictment echoes the chilling language used in his 2021 threats against then-President Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris. In that instance, Rome detailed plans to escape prison to “carry out a sniper attack” and “execute the old man,” promising to broadcast the assassination across digital platforms.
Legal Consequences and Timeline
Despite the severity of his threats, Rome’s ability to act remains physically constrained by his current incarceration. However, the DOJ emphasized the gravity of the threats, noting that Rome signed his full name to the Jan. 6 letter.
| Status | Details |
| Current Location | Kirkland Correctional Institution, Columbia, S.C. |
| Active Sentence | Armed robbery (set to expire in 2030). |
| Pending Sentences | Consecutive time for previous threats against Obama and Biden. |
| Potential Penalty | Up to 10 years in federal prison if convicted on the new charges. |
The Road Ahead
As the federal government continues its crackdown on political violence and threats against public officials, Rome remains under heavy surveillance within the South Carolina Department of Corrections. He is expected to face arraignment on the new charges shortly. Following the completion of his state sentence for robbery in 2030, he will transition to federal custody to begin serving time for his cumulative convictions regarding presidential threats.
