Three University of South Alabama students were taken into custody Friday after allegedly making threats against President Donald Trump ahead of his evening campaign rally at the Mobile campus, according to a source familiar with the case who spoke with Fox News.
The students face federal charges related to alleged threats posted on social media in the days before Trump’s scheduled appearance, the Lagniappe Daily reported.
The cases were made public Friday afternoon, only a few hours before Trump was expected to address supporters inside the university’s Mitchell Center, according to the outlet.
FBI affidavits cited by Lagniappe said investigators identified the students through social media intelligence operations conducted ahead of the visit. Authorities also relied on emergency disclosure requests and information provided by University of South Alabama police.
In one case, an FBI affidavit alleged that a student posted a threatening comment about Trump in response to a TikTok video discussing his planned stop at the campus.
A second student allegedly wrote on X that people would “remember the University of South Alabama the same way they remember Utah Valley University,” the outlet reported, citing the affidavit.
Investigators said Utah Valley University was the site where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot last year.
The third student was also accused of responding to a TikTok post concerning Trump’s upcoming appearance, according to the reported court documents.
Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch had said earlier in the week that local deputies were working with federal agencies to track social media activity tied to the president’s visit.
Before the rally, the University of South Alabama emphasized that the event was not sponsored by the school. The Mitchell Center had been leased to the Republican National Committee, or RNC.
“The University of South Alabama unequivocally condemns any form of threats directed at elected officials or any individual with whom we disagree,” the university said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “We encourage open dialogue and active civic participation, and having a difference of opinion is a natural part of any vibrant community.
“However, there is a clear line between exercising free expression and engaging in intimidation or unlawful conduct.”
Trump went ahead with the midterm campaign rally Friday night, returning to Mobile nearly 11 years after holding a 2015 rally there during the early stages of his first presidential campaign.
“It sort of all began here,” Trump told the crowd as he reflected on that earlier visit.
During his remarks, the president also acknowledged Sheriff Burch and University of South Alabama President Jo Bonner.
Fox News Digital contacted the Department of Justice, FBI, Secret Service and University of South Alabama seeking additional details.
