Oklahoma Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening Trump
Howard Gimmey, 47, admitted to posting a social media message vowing to kill the president, and he faces possible federal prison time.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Terrorism
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Howard Gimmey, 47, of Midwest City, Oklahoma, pleaded guilty to communicating a threat to kill President Donald Trump on social media. He has not yet been sentenced.
Why it matters
The case is tied to National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, a White House-directed interagency initiative targeting political violence. It reflects federal efforts to prosecute threats against national leaders across the country.
Gimmey pleaded guilty after a federal grand jury charged him with communicating a threat in interstate commerce on October 6, 2025. He faces up to five years in federal prison and a fine of up to $250,000, with sentencing still pending.
The players
Howard Gimmey
A 47-year-old man from Midwest City, Oklahoma, who pleaded guilty to threatening to kill the president.
FBI Oklahoma City Joint Terrorism Task Force
A joint federal and local unit of the Federal Bureau of Investigation that investigates terrorism and national security threats in the Oklahoma City region.
United States Secret Service
A federal law enforcement agency responsible for protecting the president and other national leaders from threats.
Midwest City Police Department
The municipal police agency serving Midwest City, Oklahoma, which took part in the investigation.
The details
Gimmey posted a message on social media on May 5 stating, "I'm going to kill the president." The FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force in Oklahoma City, the U.S. Secret Service, and the Midwest City Police Department investigated the case.
Timeline
May 5: Gimmey posted the threat on social media.
October 6: A federal grand jury charged Gimmey with communicating a threat in interstate commerce.
November 4: Gimmey's guilty plea was reported in a news release.
Legal Context
The prosecution is part of National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, a White House directive that coordinates federal, state, and local agencies against political violence. Threat cases like this one are being pursued under that nationwide initiative.
Threats against federal officials are prosecuted in federal court, and penalties can include prison time and significant fines. Anyone who posts threats online faces potential federal charges even when the message is shared from home.
The takeaway
Online statements that threaten national leaders can lead to federal charges regardless of whether any attack was carried out. Anyone aware of such threats can report them to the FBI or the Secret Service.
Further reading
For more on federal threat prosecutions, see Terrorism coverage across the United States.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KOCO.
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