A West Virginia librarian is facing serious criminal charges after authorities say she used social media to encourage the assassination of President Donald Trump, a case that is already igniting national attention over online rhetoric, political extremism, and the limits of free speech.
Morgan L. Morrow, 39, of Ripley, was arrested Monday and charged with one count of threats of terroristic acts after allegedly posting a TikTok video that law enforcement interpreted as a direct call for violence against the president. According to a criminal complaint obtained by WOWK, the video included the statement, “Surely a sn!per with a terminal illness can’t be a big ask out of 343 million.” Investigators said the message was widely understood as advocating for Trump’s assassination.
Librarian at the Jackson County, WV Public Library in Ripley arrested for “a social media recruitment of individuals to pursue and assassinate President Trump,”Link to article in comments. @libsoftiktok pic.twitter.com/c4i6Qgbp1X
— 86 YHWH (@86Yhwh) January 27, 2026
Deputies with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office detained Morrow at her home, where she allegedly admitted to police that the video was “intended as a threat directed toward President Donald J. Trump.” The complaint further states that Morrow discussed her personal reasons for wishing harm on the president, though authorities did not disclose what those reasons were.
Morrow reportedly told investigators she did not intend to personally carry out any act of violence. However, law enforcement said that distinction is irrelevant under the law. Deputies argued that statements like the one posted on TikTok are designed to encourage or inspire others to commit violence, even if the person making the statement claims they would not act themselves.
Jackson County Sheriff Ross Mellinger made that point clear in blunt remarks to WOWK. “When you saddle up on the horse of stupidity, you have to be prepared for the ride that follows,” Mellinger said. He added that the goal of the arrest was to ensure the threat was not acted upon and to prevent others from being influenced by similar rhetoric.
Mellinger emphasized that political affiliation does not factor into how his office handles threats. “It’s okay to be critical of the government. It’s okay to be critical of things you don’t agree with,” he said. “But when you start promoting the violence and you’re promoting a plan to carry out the violence and recruiting other people to carry out the plan for you, that’s clearly crossing the line.”
West Virginia librarian busted for allegedly trying to recruit people on TikTok to kill Trump https://t.co/QBhBoMN8sr pic.twitter.com/JSBUbUgYM7
— New York Post (@nypost) January 27, 2026
Authorities noted that the language used in the TikTok post went beyond casual or hyperbolic political speech, describing it instead as a statement meant to normalize or solicit an act of assassination. That, they said, is why the charge was filed even though Morrow claimed she would not personally commit the act.
Morrow is employed by the Jackson County Public Library, which moved quickly to distance itself from her comments. In a statement, library officials said the remarks “do not reflect the mission, values, or standards of conduct of our organization” and confirmed that the matter is being addressed internally.
The case comes amid heightened scrutiny of political threats made online, particularly against high-profile figures, as law enforcement agencies across the country warn that digital platforms can rapidly amplify dangerous ideas. For now, Morrow remains charged as the investigation continues, and officials say the arrest should serve as a reminder that calls for political violence, even when framed as hypothetical or sarcastic, can carry real legal consequences.
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