Why does the political left so often move quickly to condemn political violence, yet appear equally quick to defend—or engage in—it?
The question has resurfaced repeatedly in recent years, from the left-wing attacker who targeted Republicans at a congressional baseball practice to multiple alleged attempts against a former president and presidential candidate, including incidents after he returned to office.
Now, authorities say another potential threat against the president has been disrupted.
Jacob Aaron Hicks, 46, of Tucson, was arrested yesterday and charged by criminal complaint with making an interstate threat to injure. Prosecutors allege that Hicks sent an email on Sept. 23, 2026, threatening mass bombings at the White House and other locations in the Washington, D.C., area. Hicks made his initial appearance in federal court today.
That court appearance took place Thursday.
According to the criminal complaint, Hicks emailed a Tucson news station on Sept. 23 and claimed an imminent bombing attack would target the White House and other sites in Washington. The station alerted law enforcement, which launched an investigation and identified Hicks as the alleged sender.
Investigators later found additional unsent drafts in the same email account linked to Hicks. The drafts, also dated Sept. 23, were addressed to other news organizations and reportedly contained similar threats against the White House and the surrounding area.
So far, there is no indication that Hicks acquired—or tried to acquire—explosives to carry out the alleged attacks. However, making such a threat is itself a federal crime under 18 U.S. Code § 871, which addresses threats against the president and others in the presidential line of succession.
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Whoever knowingly and willfully deposits for conveyance in the mail or for a delivery from any post office or by any letter carrier any letter, paper, writing, print, missive, or document containing any threat to take the life of, to kidnap, or to inflict bodily harm upon the President of the United States, the President-elect, the Vice President or other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President of the United States, or the Vice President-elect, or knowingly and willfully otherwise makes any such threat against the President, President-elect, Vice President or other officer next in the order of succession to the office of President, or Vice President-elect, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
The FBI is leading the case.
The bureau is conducting the investigation with assistance from the United States Secret Service. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Arizona, Tucson, is prosecuting the case.
As with anyone accused of threatening or attempting to harm a public official, Hicks is entitled to due process and presumed innocent unless proven guilty. The broader concern, however, is the apparent rise in threats aimed at public figures—a trend the author argues has been driven more often by the political left than the right.
From that perspective, Hicks—if the allegations are proven—would represent another example of politically motivated violence or intimidation from the left. The presidency has always carried significant risks, but those dangers appear especially acute for President Donald John Trump.
Editor’s Note: The American people overwhelmingly support President Trump’s law and order agenda.
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