In a dramatic turn of events, William L. Upham, a 35-year-old Republican write-in candidate for Florida’s 5th Congressional District and former U.S. Marine, was arrested on Wednesday following a series of incendiary videos he posted online. The videos, which surfaced earlier this week, contained explicit threats against President Donald Trump, leading to Upham’s arrest and subsequent charges by federal prosecutors.
The case has sparked widespread condemnation and raised serious concerns about the escalation of political rhetoric in the United States. Upham’s actions have not only drawn the attention of law enforcement but also prompted strong responses from the U.S. Marine Corps and the U.S. Secret Service.
The Controversial Videos and Their Aftermath
In the nearly seven-minute video posted on X, Upham initially presented himself as a candidate aiming to restore bipartisanship and fix the ‘broken political system.’ However, the tone of the video quickly shifted to a more ominous message. Upham declared that the United States is engaged in a spiritual battle and that President trump is the ‘enemy of God.’ He went on to label Trump as the ‘Antichrist’ and stated that the president ‘must be killed.’
The criminal complaint filed by federal prosecutors alleges that Upham posted multiple videos urging violence against Trump. In one of the videos, Upham described his message as ‘a call to arms’ and urged viewers to overthrow the Trump administration. He even recommended using a semi-automatic rifle, such as an AR-15, and instructed followers on how to carry out the act, specifying ‘two shots to the chest’ and ‘one shot to the head.’
Federal investigators also uncovered an email allegedly sent by Upham to a reporter, in which he stated that he made the videos ‘to declare war against President Trump on behalf of God’ and that he would ‘kill President Trump at the time that God chooses.’ The email further alleged that the country ‘must overthrow President Trump by the violent use of force and kill him.’
The Marine Corps and Navy’s Response
The U.S. Marine Corps swiftly condemned Upham’s statements, emphasizing that his actions were a direct violation of the oath he swore to uphold. The Corps clarified that Upham was medically discharged on May 30, 2026, and that his comments do not reflect the values expected of Marines. Acting Navy Secretary Hung Cao also took to X to express his disapproval, stating, ‘Unacceptable. William Upham is no longer a Marine and does not represent our values or ethos.’
The U.S. Secret Service acknowledged the comments in a statement to Fox News Digital, confirming that they are aware of the situation and investigate anything that can be perceived as a threat toward one of their protectees. Out of concern for operational security, the Secret Service did not discuss matters of protective intelligence.
The Legal Consequences and Public Reaction
Upham appeared in federal court in Jacksonville and was ordered detained pending further proceedings. If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison. The incident has reignited concerns about the increasingly heated political rhetoric in the United States, with officials from both major parties warning about the dangers of language that encourages or justifies political violence.
The case comes amid continued concerns over political violence in the United States. President Trump has faced multiple assassination attempts, including one during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, 2026, and another at his golf club in West Palm Beach, Florida, that September. The shooting at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner on April 25 of this year further highlighted the volatile political climate.
Conservative activist Charlie Kirk and Democratic Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman were also assassinated last year, underscoring the urgent need for a more civil and respectful political discourse. The arrest of William Upham serves as a stark reminder of the consequences of such rhetoric and the importance of upholding the values of democracy and peaceful coexistence.