Left: William Upham (Dept. of Justice). Right: President Donald Trump at the Shield of the Americas Summit, Saturday, March 7, 2026, at Trump National Doral Miami in Doral, Fla. (AP Photo/Rebecca Blackwell).
A 35-year-old former Marine and state prosecutor in Florida declared a "holy war" against the president, implored his online followers to assassinate him, and later told a reporter, "I will kill President Trump at the time that God chooses."
William L. Upham is charged with one count of making threats against the president of the United States over the statements, authorities announced.
According to the criminal complaint, the U.S. Secret Service launched an investigation July 14 after receiving two separate reports about disturbing videos Upham allegedly posted online while wearing his Marine Corps uniform.
One tip came from an anonymous caller who directed agents to Upham's Instagram account. A second came from the Department of Veterans Affairs after a third party reported that Upham — who was medically retired from the Marine Corps for mental health-related concerns — had recently been posting videos referring to Trump as the Antichrist while discussing weapons and military tactics for attacking the president.
Agents reviewed two videos that were posted July 13.
In one, Upham allegedly invoked the Book of Revelation before urging viewers to violently overthrow the government.
"This is a call to arms," Upham allegedly said. "To all of God's children, you must overthrow the Trump Administration on behalf of God."
The complaint says he then recommended using "a semi-automatic rifle such as an AR-15," telling viewers that "5.56 rounds are very effective at piercing body armor" before demonstrating Marine Corps combat tactics.
"In the United States Marine Corps, we kill the enemy using box drills," Upham allegedly said. "Two shots to the chest. One to the head."
He also allegedly instructed viewers to attack "President Trump and his forces" by advancing "in pairs of two" while using covering fire and the military "slice the pie" technique to clear corners.
In a second video, investigators say Upham repeatedly referred to Trump as "the Antichrist" before declaring, "He is your enemy and he must be killed."
The threats allegedly continued after the videos were posted. According to the complaint, a newspaper reporter emailed Upham seeking comment, prompting a response in which Upham allegedly wrote: "I made this video in uniform to declare war against President Trump on behalf of God."
He allegedly added: "I will kill President Trump at the time that God chooses, not when I choose. Our country must overthrow President Trump by the violent use of force and kill him."
Investigators said the email came from the same address listed on Upham's Florida Bar profile and matched the language and tone of the social media videos.
Federal authorities also alleged Upham had access to firearms, including two guns he purchased from a Virginia pawn shop in June 2024. The complaint further states that Jacksonville sheriff's deputies responded to his home July 5 for a welfare check, during which Upham allegedly said he was "the Messiah" and that God had ordered him to die.
Acting U.S. Secretary of the Navy Hung Cao responded to the allegations against Upham, posting to X, formerly Twitter: "Unacceptable. William Upham is no longer a Marine and does not represent our values or ethos."
Upham made his initial appearance Thursday in the Middle District of Florida, where a judge ordered him to remain in detention. If convicted, he faces up to five years in federal prison.
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