A disturbing federal case is sending shockwaves through Washington after prosecutors say a Chicago man made chilling threats to assassinate President Donald Trump — and brutally target his son, Barron Trump.
According to the Department of Justice, 29-year-old Michael Kovco allegedly sent a series of violent, explicit messages through the White House website in March, outlining what authorities describe as a detailed and credible threat.
In one message, Kovco allegedly claimed he would use a high-powered sniper rifle to target the president from a vantage point near the White House — before turning his attention to Barron in a horrifying follow-up threat involving a serrated knife.
Federal investigators say the messages didn’t stop there.
Just days after the initial threat, United States Secret Service agents visited Kovco’s home to investigate — but no one answered the door. Prosecutors allege Kovco then escalated, sending additional messages threatening retaliation against federal agents and even their families.
In one of the most alarming claims, he allegedly warned he would track down agents and carry out violent attacks if they attempted to identify themselves. Authorities say he also referenced obtaining a firearm and even an improvised explosive device as part of his threats.
The situation took another dark turn when Kovco allegedly sent a third message threatening to stalk Barron in either New York or Washington, D.C., describing in graphic terms how he planned to carry out an attack.
Investigators were able to trace the messages back to Kovco’s residence through IP data. When agents returned on March 19, they spoke with someone inside the home who reportedly told them Kovco was unemployed, rarely left the house, and had not been taking prescribed medication.
Moments later, Kovco allegedly appeared and reacted angrily when confronted about the threats, denying involvement and telling agents to get a warrant.
He was arrested on April 3 and charged with transmitting threats in interstate commerce. Prosecutors are now pushing to keep him behind bars as the case moves forward.
Officials say the case highlights the growing number of serious threats facing high-profile political figures.
Dai Tran, a senior official with the Secret Service’s Chicago field office, emphasized that agents are operating in a “heightened threat environment,” adding that any potential danger to protectees is handled “swiftly and decisively.”
Meanwhile, U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros made it clear that authorities are taking a hard line.
“Political violence will be dealt with as the serious federal crime that it is,” he said, vowing that anyone who threatens public officials will be tracked down and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The case now heads to federal court, where Kovco is expected to face a detention hearing as prosecutors argue he remains a serious threat.
