The outrage over Trump’s election as the next president of the United States has triggered a swarm of assassination threats on Twitter, NY Post is reporting.
Donald Trump met with President Obama, Thursday in the Oval Office. Both rival politicians had met to discuss an array of things including a seamless transition of power and to urge people to come together for the sake of the country.
The message of unity seems to have fallen on deaf ears with protests breaking out against the Manhattan billionaire in over 25 states. The anger has spread to social media, particularly on Twitter with people calling for the 70-year-old politician to be killed under the #AssasinateTrump hashtag.
A security source said that the Secret Service was investigating all social media postings that carried credible threats. According to the source, there is a major difference between someone saying they are planning to kill the president and suggesting that someone else attempt to kill him. The source said indirect threats were not priority, but the Secret Service would leave anything to chance.
The Republican presidential candidate won the November 8 elections to become the 45th president of the United States. It was an election that shocked the world, considering that Trump was a controversial figure who asked for a ban on Muslims, called Mexican immigrants “rapists,” and disrespected women.
Another source close to the Secret Service said a spike in death threats had been noticed on social media on the same day Donald Trump was elected as the next president. The source revealed there are parameters in place to burrow into the social media history of anyone posing a threat.
The source said security agencies were keeping their eyes peeled for the present president and the president-elect. Already security has been beefed around Trump’s New York residence after his surprising election win sparked protests across the country.
Protests against Trump’s triumph entered a third straight day Friday with thousands swarming the streets of New York, Oregon, Atlanta, Miami, San Francisco, and Philadelphia making their feelings known over Trump’s divisive campaign.
In Miami, people marched downtown, some spilling onto the highway, making the movement of cars almost impossible. In New York, protesters, mainly college students, laid siege on the Trump Tower on Fifth Avenue. The president-elect had denounced “professional protesters” saying they had been gingered by the media. He later doubled down and praised them after nine hours of sending the initial tweet.
“Love the fact that the small groups of protesters last night have passion for our great country. We will all come together and be proud.”
There was no violence at Friday’s protests, unlike Thursday night when the rally became vicious in Portland with demonstrators damaging cars at a dealership. Over 26 people were arrested. In Los Angeles, police arrested 185 people for obstructing roadways and being out after a curfew had been placed.
A two-mile no-fly zone has been established over Trump Tower. The no-fly zone will be enforced until Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2017, when he will move into the White House. Police have also helped to build concrete barriers around the 58-story building. Sanitation trucks filled with sand are also being used as barricades. In addition, anyone working or living inside Trump Tower will now be scrutinized by the Secret Service.
The threats being made against Trump on Twitter is not the first time. In March, long before the elections, Eli Martinez tweeted “I think I have to KILL Trump. None of y’all gon do it. I have to take measures in my own hands.”
According to the 20-year-old, it was a joke that he soon forgot about. However, a few days later, Secret Service agents showed up at his Chicago home and grilled him for information which included his personal, employment, and medical history. They also wanted to know if he had purchased weapons before.
Another user, Kevin Supernaw, had tweeted pictures of agents outside his home after he posted “Ima shoot Donald the next time I see him.” Kevin said his room was raided by the FBI and Secret Service.
[Featured Image by John Lochner/AP Images]