Secret Service Intervenes as Casa Grande Man Demands Court Permission to Target Trump with M-16

A Casa Grande resident is facing serious legal consequences after allegedly threatening to kill former President Donald Trump. Federal agents reveal that Rene Ortiz submitted a court filing in November, seeking permission to shoot the incoming president with a military-style rifle.

In September, Ortiz had initially filed a civil lawsuit aimed at removing Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris from the 2024 election ballot. The lawsuit was quickly dismissed due to his failure to pay a filing fee. Subsequently, Ortiz requested the court’s consent to execute the winner of the 2024 election—either Trump or Harris—using an M-16A2 service rifle. This alarming request included a threat to fire six rounds at the individuals, according to a criminal complaint presented on January 17.

“The court and the defendants were warned to withdraw from their campaign,” Ortiz wrote in his filing.

Arrested last week, Ortiz was brought before a judge in Phoenix on Tuesday, who denied his request for release pending trial. During an interview with a Secret Service agent, he admitted to making threats, as detailed in the criminal complaint.

The case remained sealed until last week and was uncovered by Seamus Hughes from Court Watch. In various additional court documents, Ortiz expressed a desire to shoot the “fraudulent elected POTUS” from considerable distances, unsettlingly specifying 300 or even 666 yards away.

His filings originated at the Sandra Day O’Connor Courthouse in Phoenix, later extending to the Tucson courthouse. Days following his latest submissions, the U.S. Secret Service launched an investigation. Special agent Savannah Shawler outlined in a report that there was probable cause to believe Ortiz had violated federal law by threatening to kill the incoming president.

Facing potential imprisonment of up to five years, Ortiz may also incur a $250,000 fine and three years of probation. His legal claims centered around allegations of unsuitability for office against Trump and Harris, citing perceived “dishonorable and dishonest character traits.”

Ortiz depicted previous assassination attempts against Trump as crafted hoaxes designed to elicit sympathy from voters. Drawing from his background as a retired U.S. Marine with a marksmanship badge, he insisted he should have the opportunity to fire on Trump, specifying targeting the head, not the ear.

In additional documentation submitted on November 25, Ortiz reiterated his demand to take aim at the “fraudulently elected president” during the inauguration. Expressing urgency, he signed these documents as “El Sariqueño,” emphasizing his status as a Marine combat veteran.

In a peculiar twist, Ortiz sought candidacy as vice president on the Democratic ticket, wishing for Joe Biden to reclaim the top position. His filings included numerous grievances against various officials and even the Department of Veterans Affairs, detailing his discontent with their handling of his educational reimbursements.

On December 5, Ortiz was interviewed by the Secret Service in Phoenix, admitting during this time that he would resort to violence against the president-elect if his demands remained unmet. When questioned about acquiring an M-16A2, Ortiz expressed uncertainty.

While the M-16A2 is typically inaccessible to civilians, similar rifle designs, such as the AR-15, are widely available. Recent incidents, including an individual accused of wounding Trump at a rally and another who threatened him with a rifle at a golf course, underscore mounting security concerns surrounding political figures.

Ortiz’s core grievance appears rooted in interactions with the VA, specifically alleging unsupported promises regarding educational funding. Just last January, a different Phoenix-area man was arrested by Secret Service agents for making threats against Biden and Harris, portraying a troubling trend of violent rhetoric in the political landscape.