In Washington, a federal grand jury chose not to indict a woman accused of making threats against President Donald Trump on social media. This decision is part of a broader reaction from D.C. residents opposing the use of federal law enforcement and the deployment of National Guard troops in the area.
Nathalie Rose Jones from Indiana faced accusations from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia. She was charged with threatening the president’s life and making threats across state lines via Instagram and Facebook.
During a voluntary interview with the Secret Service, Jones allegedly referred to Trump as a “terrorist” and a “nazi.” She was detained after participating in a march near the White House complex on August 16. Despite her arrest, Jones claimed she had no intention to harm Trump at that time. Friends noted in court that she has struggled with mental health issues.
In a motion filed Monday, her defense attorneys disclosed that a grand jury didn’t indict Jones.
Jones’s federal public defenders stated that the grand jury found no probable cause to charge her with the alleged crimes, and have asked for her release on her own recognizance.
Overruling a magistrate judge, Chief District Judge James Boasberg had ordered Jones released on home detention.
Their argument highlighted the grand jury’s decision, stating that the evidence against Jones is weak. They expressed doubt that the government could secure an indictment with the same evidence, advocating for her release with the assurance she would attend court if needed.
The decision reflects a growing pattern in Washington, where federal grand juries comprised of local residents have refused to indict in several cases during President Trump’s federal enforcement push, declining to indict on at least six recent occasions.
Last week, a grand jury declined to indict a Justice Department employee named Sean Dunn, who was seen on video tossing a hoagie at the chest of one of the federal law enforcement officers patrolling the streets of Washington. Dunn has become a symbol of opposition to the federal takeover among D.C. residents, with Banksy-style art depicting a man tossing a sandwich appearing around the city.
A grand jury also declined to indict Alvin Summers with assault on a federal officer. And three federal grand juries refused to indict Sidney Lori Reid with assault during a scuffle with an FBI agent, and her charges were downgraded to a misdemeanor.
