Federal agents say an Illinois resident has been charged after posting a series of profanity-laced Instagram videos that called for the execution of former President Donald Trump, triggering a Secret Service investigation and a federal prosecution for making interstate threats against a public official.
A criminal complaint filed Oct. 31 in the Northern District of Illinois and unsealed Monday alleges that 57-year-old Trent Schneider of Winthrop Harbor posted violent videos and memes on social media as his home neared foreclosure. He was charged with making a true threat to injure another person in interstate commerce.
Prosecutors say one Oct. 16 video shows Schneider looking into the camera and railing against judges, doctors, lawyers and police. According to the complaint, he said: “People like me have suffered real f—ing crimes from f—ing judges, doctors, lawyers, police. They all should be killed. All of them should be executed for what they’ve done.”
The complaint quotes him as continuing: “They need to be killed. They need to be executed, ok? They are frauds, ok? I think it’s time. I’ve waited long enough. I’m going to get some guns. I know where I can get a lot of f—ing guns and I am going to take care of business myself. I’m tired of all you f—ing frauds. People need to f—ing die and people are going to die. F— all of you, especially you, Trump. You should be executed.”
Authorities say Schneider reposted that same video nearly 20 times over several days, often tagging Trump Tower Chicago. Each post reportedly used the caption: “THIS IS NOT A THREAT!!! … AFTER LOSING EVERYTHING and My House Auction date is 11.04.2025 @realDonaldTrump SHOULD BE EXECUTED!!!”
A viewer in Florida reportedly saw one of the posts and reported it to law enforcement, prompting the U.S. Secret Service to open an investigation. Agents used the tip to identify Schneider’s Instagram account and say the threats were posted in a way that made them viewable nationwide.
According to the affidavit, agents visited Schneider’s residence on Oct. 22. They observed cameras set up on tripods in the driveway, and Schneider allegedly came outside and yelled at officers to leave his property. He later posted a video of the officers departing with the same caption calling for Trump’s execution, prosecutors say.
The complaint also notes prior encounters with law enforcement. In 2022, agents interviewed Schneider over violent social media posts aimed at public officials, and later that year he was arrested after allegedly threatening to “shoot up” a T-Mobile store. A court later found him unfit to stand trial in 2023, the documents say.
Prosecutors say Schneider’s posts tied his anger to the imminent foreclosure of his home, which was scheduled for auction on Nov. 4. In the social media posts, he allegedly referenced “losing everything” and blamed political and judicial figures he labeled as “frauds” for his financial situation.
Local authorities and federal agents executed search and arrest warrants at Schneider’s home on Monday, with assistance from a SWAT team, the complaint says. Schneider was taken into custody without incident, according to media reports.
If convicted on the federal charge, Schneider faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, the U.S. Department of Justice says.
