Federal authorities have arrested a former Coast Guard sharpshooter for making a series of death threats against former President Donald Trump. Peter Stinson, 57, of Oakton, Virginia, was taken into custody on Monday, facing federal charges that could have serious consequences.
Stinson, a decorated military veteran, served as an officer in the United States Coast Guard from 1988 to 2021. He was recognized for his marksmanship skills and later worked as an instructor for the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Incident Command Systems program, roles that necessitated high-level security clearances.
Court documents detail Stinson's alleged engagement with the Antifa movement and his use of multiple social media platforms to disseminate threatening messages aimed at President Trump. These allegations emerge from an extensive investigation by federal law enforcement, who monitored Stinson's social media activity for years. The criminal complaint against him cites posts spanning from 2020 through 2025, where he used various pseudonyms to refer to Trump, including "the orange," "orange mf," and even an orange emoji.
One of the earliest recorded threats from April 2020 involves Stinson's reply to a user's post about suing Trump, saying, "somebody ought to do more than sue the orange mf’s a**." He then referenced his military training, stating, "it involves a rifle and a scope, but I can’t talk about it here." Other disturbing posts included offers to fund a contract for violence and suggestions of using "a gun, a knife and poison" in potential attacks.
Newsweek reports that Stinson expressed a willingness to partake in violence despite lacking certain skills, offering to "pull the trigger" or serve as a "driver" for attacks. His most recent post on June 11, on the platform Bluesky, ominously celebrated the anticipation of Trump's death.
The indictment also highlights Stinson's leadership role within the Mayday Protest Movement, drawing attention to the timing of his arrest shortly after Congressman Swalwell addressed the group, suggesting a possible connection.
Stinson's distinguished military career and subsequent work with FEMA underline the gravity of the situation, as his previous positions granted him access to sensitive information and locations. His arrest underscores the heightened vigilance of law enforcement agencies in addressing threats against public figures and their commitment to prosecuting such threats to the fullest extent of the law.
