A Michigan man has pleaded guilty to threatening the lives of President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance, admitting in federal court that he posted graphic assassination threats on social media.
James Donald Vance Jr. — not related to Vice President James David “JD” Vance — entered guilty pleas last week to one count of threatening to kill or harm the President and Vice President of the United States, and two counts of sending interstate threatening communications, according to court records reviewed by Law&Crime.
During a hearing before U.S. Magistrate Judge Phillip J. Green, Vance admitted to making the threats, including a chilling April 1 post on the social media platform Bluesky, where he wrote:
“If tRump, Vance, or Musk ever come to my city again, they will leave it in a body bag. I will either be shot by a secret service sniper or spend the rest of my life in prison. I’ve only got about 10 years of life left anyway so I don’t f—ing care either way.”
Magistrate Judge Green recommended the court accept the plea but noted that sentencing decisions are reserved for U.S. District Judge Paul L. Maloney, who is scheduled to sentence Vance on November 17. There was no formal plea deal in place with prosecutors.
Vance, who initially pleaded not guilty, had been released on personal recognizance and was set to stand trial on August 5.
One of the charges stems from the April 1 post, while the second communication-related charge is tied to a March 7 response Vance posted in reply to a thread discussing Donald Trump Jr.’s potential 2028 presidential bid. Vance replied:
“I will murder that stupid f—er before he gets secret service protection.”
Federal prosecutors allege that Vance “knowingly and willfully” threatened the lives of both Trump and Vance, while “consciously disregarding a substantial risk” that his statements would be interpreted as violent threats.
The charge of threatening to kill or injure the president carries a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000. Each count of sending threatening communications across state lines could also result in additional prison time and financial penalties.
Vance will now face sentencing before Judge Maloney, a George W. Bush appointee, as federal authorities weigh the gravity of threats made against two of the nation’s top elected officials.
