A former teaching assistant at Illinois State University was arrested on Tuesday after federal agents say he allegedly made threats against President Donald Trump. The arrest came after a month-long investigation led by the FBI and the United States Secret Service, with help from local law enforcement.
Derek Lopez, 27, had recently been in the spotlight after a viral incident on campus involving Turning Point USA, a conservative student group. That moment, which showed Lopez flipping over a table set up by the group, may have been the first time many outside the university heard his name. But according to officials, it’s what happened after that incident—and what was allegedly posted online—that led to federal charges.
BREAKING: Illinois State University teaching assistant Derek Lopez, who was ARRESTED for flipping over a TPUSA table, has been FIRED from the University
FAFO!pic.twitter.com/QD87lPnLdY
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) October 20, 2025
In a memo obtained by Fox News Digital, the FBI said, “Lopez is alleged to have recently made threats against a sitting President, which prompted the current federal charges.” He was arrested in a joint operation that included the FBI, Secret Service, and the Illinois State University Police Department. He made his first court appearance on Wednesday afternoon.
FBI Director Kash Patel described the case in strong terms, telling Fox News Digital that the alleged threats were “heinous” and emphasizing that violence or threats of violence against any American—especially public officials—would not be tolerated.
“The threats against President Trump allegedly posted by this individual are heinous and have no place in American society,” Patel said. “Let this be a message to all who consider threats of violence not just against public officials, but any American, that this FBI will find you and bring you to justice. I want to thank our local partners, the El Paso PD in Illinois, as well as the Secret Service, who assisted us with this case.”
BREAKING: Derek Lopez, the former ISU teaching assistant who was arrested for flipping over a TPUSA table, was just arrested AGAIN for reportedly making threats towards President Trump.
FAFO https://t.co/pEZkw1D0hI pic.twitter.com/Zzcml4oTTA
Should threats against public officials be prosecuted vigorously?— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) October 29, 2025
Lopez’s troubles began earlier this fall when a video started making rounds on social media. In it, he was seen walking up to a table run by Turning Point USA chapter members, who were promoting an upcoming appearance by conservative commentator and political comedian Alex Stein. Speaking to a nearby man, Lopez referenced the Bible before flipping the table over.
“Well, you know, Jesus did it, so you know I gotta do it, right?” he said. After flipping the table, he added, “Thanks guys, have a great day,” before walking off.
That video quickly went viral and drew criticism online. A few days later, on October 20, Illinois State University issued a brief statement confirming that Lopez had been removed from his position. “While Illinois State University does not comment specifically on personnel matters, we can confirm Derek Lopez has been relieved of his duties as a graduate teaching assistant pending further investigation,” the statement read.
Lopez was arrested at the time for that table-flipping incident and charged with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property. But those charges now take a back seat to the new federal case, which carries much more serious consequences if the allegations are proven true.
Officials have not released the exact nature of the alleged threats made against President Trump, but sources familiar with the investigation say the online posts were serious enough to raise alarm among federal authorities. The FBI and Secret Service have both emphasized that they treat any threat against a sitting president as a top-level concern.
Illinois State University has declined to comment further on Lopez or the ongoing legal proceedings. For now, the case is moving forward in federal court, and Lopez remains in custody.
As the investigation continues, more details are expected to be released in the coming days.
