Editor’s Note: This article is part of Fox News Digital’s investigative series, Campus Radicals. Explore the entire series here.
EXCLUSIVE TO FOX: In a coordinated effort by the FBI and Secret Service, a former teaching assistant from Illinois State University was taken into custody on Tuesday.
Derek Lopez, aged 27, is facing charges for allegedly making threats against President Donald Trump, as confirmed by the FBI.
“The arrest is the result of a month-long probe conducted in collaboration with the aforementioned agencies, along with the Illinois State University Police Department, focusing on Lopez’s online and offline activities,” noted an FBI memo acquired by Fox News Digital. “Lopez is accused of recently issuing threats against a sitting President, leading to these federal charges.”
Lopez’s dismissal from his teaching assistant position at Illinois State University occurred after he was involved in an incident where he overturned a Turning Point USA table on campus. (Credit: X/@FrontlinesTPUSA)
Lopez appeared in court for the first time on Wednesday afternoon.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the alleged threats as “heinous.”
“The threats against President Trump allegedly posted by this individual are heinous and have no place in American society,” he told Fox News Digital. “Let this be a message to all who consider threats of violence not just against public officials, but any American, that this FBI will find you and bring you to justice. I want to thank our local partners, the El Paso PD in Illinois, as well as USSS who assisted us with this case.”
FBI Director Kash Patel speaks at a news conference on October 23, 2025 in New York City. (Michael M. Santiago/Getty Images)
Lopez, who was a graduate student, was fired from his role as a teaching assistant at Illinois State University after a viral video showed him flipping over a table that belonged to Turning Point USA chapter members on campus.
He was seen in the video speaking to a man next to where the conservative group was promoting an upcoming appearance by political comedian Alex Stein.
“Well, you know, Jesus did it, so you know I gotta do it, right?” Lopez told the man before flipping the table over.
“Thanks guys, have a great day,” he said before walking away.
Derek Lopez was fired from his teaching assistant position after flipping a Turning Point USA table at Illinois State University. (Illinois State University Police)
“While Illinois State University does not comment specifically on personnel matters, we can confirm Derek Lopez has been relieved of his duties as a graduate teaching assistant pending further investigation,” the school confirmed on Oct. 20.
Lopez had already been arrested by local police for the table-flipping incident. He was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property.
Illinois State University declined to comment.
