Three University of South Alabama students have been arrested over alleged threats against US President Donald Trump ahead of his campaign rally on the university’s Mobile campus.
The students, identified as Amare Jemal Woods, Cameron Lamark Lewis and Kayla Leaann Smith, were each accused of violating a federal law prohibiting threats against the president, according to FBI affidavits obtained by Fox News Digital.
The three defendants are being temporarily detained, with detention and preliminary hearings scheduled for Monday at 2 p.m.
The federal cases were unsealed following their arrests and court appearances. In Lewis’ case, a court order instructed the clerk to make his criminal complaint public once he was arrested.
According to the affidavits, federal investigators came across the alleged threats while monitoring social media ahead of Trump’s October 2 visit to Mobile.
In Woods’ case, investigators said they found a threatening comment on TikTok on September 27. The comment, which included a crying emoji, was posted beneath content discussing Trump’s planned appearance at the University of South Alabama.
The FBI subsequently submitted an emergency request to TikTok for information and followed digital leads through Snapchat and the university’s police department, according to court documents.
Investigators said they eventually linked the TikTok account to another social media account associated with Smith. They also matched the phone number connected to the TikTok account to a number belonging to Smith.
Lewis was accused of making a separate post on X in which he allegedly said people would “remember the University of South Alabama the same way they remember Utah Valley University.”
Investigators noted that Utah Valley University was the location where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot last year.
Ahead of the president’s visit, Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said his office was working with federal authorities to monitor social media activity connected to the planned event.
The University of South Alabama also clarified that the rally was not organised or sponsored by the institution. It said the Mitchell Center had been rented by the Republican National Committee.
In a statement to Fox News Digital, the university condemned threats against public officials while stressing the importance of free expression.
“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.
“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.”
Despite the arrests and security concerns, Trump proceeded with his midterm campaign rally on Friday evening.
The event marked his return to Mobile about 11 years after he held a rally in the city during the early months of his first presidential campaign.
“It sort of all began here,” Trump told supporters as he reflected on his 2015 appearance.
