A Michigan man, 25-year-old Isaac Sissel, was arrested by federal authorities on November 5, 2024, for allegedly posting online threats against conservative Christians and the then-presidential candidate Donald Trump.
The arrest took place the day before Trump won the presidential election in a historic comeback against Vice President Kamala Harris. Sissel, a resident of Ann Arbor, Michigan was charged with sending a threatening communication.
The University of Michigan flagged suspicious activity from accounts linked to Sissel’s IP address back in September, sparking the investigation. These accounts featured usernames suggesting violence against supporters of Trump.
An anonymous online message, threatening violence against conservative Christians if Trump were elected, was received by the FBI National Threat Operations Center on November 2. The message, which also mentioned a stolen AR-15 rifle, was traced back to Sissel.
FBI agents apprehended Sissel at a hotel in Canton, Michigan. Sissel agreed to a room search, and while no weapons were found on the premises, he reportedly admitted to investigators that he had concealed a firearm stolen from a vehicle.
This arrest occurred in the midst of nationwide tension, as authorities were dealing with multiple threats related to the election across various states.
Trump’s election victory on November 6 was historic, as he improved his results in over 90% of counties compared to the 2020 election, based on preliminary analysis. Vice President Harris acknowledged her defeat in a speech at Howard University, urging unity and acceptance of the election results.
During questioning, Sissel voiced his dislike for Trump, labeling him a threat and stating that he would consider it his “duty” not to interfere if someone were planning to assassinate the former president.
Sissel’s history with law enforcement, which includes instances of stalking and harassment, was uncovered by investigators. Records indicate that Sissel had lived in several states, including Washington and New York, without a permanent address.
The FBI’s Detroit Field Office is handling the case as part of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, which was established in 2021 to deal with threats against election workers and ensure election security. Sissel appeared in federal court on Tuesday, November 5, with a detention hearing on Thursday.
