DHS Faces Scrutiny Over Trump Threat Investigation \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A DHS claim that an undocumented immigrant threatened Donald Trump is now under serious scrutiny. Investigators believe the man may have been framed to derail his testimony in an assault case. The original letter’s handwriting reportedly does not match his.
Quick Looks
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced a Trump threat letter from an undocumented immigrant.
- The letter, shared publicly, threatened Trump’s life and claimed intent to flee to Mexico.
- Officials now believe the man, Ramon Morales Reyes, may have been framed.
- Reyes is a victim in an upcoming Wisconsin assault trial.
- Investigators concluded his handwriting does not match the threatening letter.
- DHS has not retracted the public threat claim.
- Reyes is in ICE custody and may face deportation.
- He lives in Milwaukee with his wife and three children.
- He applied for a U visa as a crime victim.
- Milwaukee police are investigating possible identity theft and intimidation.
Deep Look
A controversial claim from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem that an undocumented immigrant threatened to assassinate former President Donald Trump is rapidly unraveling, as new information suggests the accused may have been falsely implicated — potentially as a way to derail his role as a key witness in a pending assault trial.
The situation began when Noem publicly announced the arrest of 54-year-old Ramon Morales Reyes, alleging he had sent a handwritten letter threatening to shoot Trump in the head at a rally and then return to Mexico. The story gained immediate traction across conservative media, White House social platforms, and allies of Trump. Noem even posted the letter — written in light blue ink — and a photo of Reyes on X (formerly Twitter) to amplify the alleged threat.
But in a significant twist, officials close to the investigation now believe Reyes may have been framed. According to a source familiar with the case who spoke to The Associated Press under anonymity, Reyes was possibly targeted to get him arrested and deported before he could testify as a victim in a Wisconsin assault trial scheduled for July.
As part of the ongoing investigation, law enforcement reportedly asked Reyes for a handwriting sample, which they say does not match the threatening letter. The letter had been mailed to an ICE office and forwarded to the FBI and other federal agencies. Investigators determined that the threat was not credible, yet the Department of Homeland Security has not walked back the initial public statements.
In response to inquiries about the inconsistency, DHS issued a statement saying only that the investigation is still “ongoing”, and confirmed that Reyes was found to be in the country illegally and would remain in custody due to an alleged criminal record. However, Reyes’ attorneys countered that he has no active criminal charges, and they have not been informed of any past convictions.
A Victim Turned Suspect?
Reyes’ legal team argues that he was arrested on May 21 not because of a threat to Trump, but potentially as part of a retaliatory plot related to an assault case in which he is the victim. Reyes had recently applied for a U visa, a form of immigration relief for undocumented immigrants who are victims of serious crimes and are cooperating with law enforcement.
Attorney Kime Abduli, who filed his U visa application, said Reyes is illiterate, cannot write in Spanish, and does not speak English — making it impossible for him to have authored the detailed threat letter. “There is really no way that it could be even remotely true,” Abduli told reporters. “We’re asking for a clarification and a correction from DHS to clear Ramon’s name.”
Further complicating the narrative, the Milwaukee Police Department has launched an investigation into possible identity theft and victim intimidation, potentially linked to Reyes’ situation. No criminal charges have been filed in connection to that investigation, but authorities confirm it remains active.
Meanwhile, Reyes remains in detention at a county jail in Juneau, Wisconsin, and is scheduled for a hearing in Chicago immigration court next week. Attorney Cain Oulahan, representing him in immigration proceedings, is fighting for his release on bond while pushing back against the deportation.
Political Fallout and Media Scrutiny
The case has sparked political debate, as critics question why DHS moved so quickly to publicize Reyes’ arrest based on what now appears to be an unsubstantiated threat. While the original message aligned with ongoing narratives about immigration and crime, the rapid unraveling of key details raises concerns about the agency’s handling of politically sensitive information.
The White House, which had shared Noem’s claim across official social media platforms, has not issued a retraction or comment as of this writing. The CNN report that first brought discrepancies to light has only fueled public and political scrutiny.
At the center of it all is a man described as a quiet, hardworking dishwasher, who lives in Milwaukee with his wife and three children, and who now finds himself at the intersection of immigration enforcement, political narrative, and victimization.
For immigrant rights groups like Voces de la Frontera, the situation underscores the dangers faced by undocumented victims who step forward to participate in the legal process. “This is a clear example of how vulnerable immigrants can be weaponized by those seeking to advance political agendas,” said a spokesperson for the organization.
As of now, no charges have been filed directly related to the Trump threat letter, and the Department of Homeland Security continues to state the investigation is open. Advocates are urging the agency to correct the public record and ensure Reyes’ rights are not violated in what appears to be a case of mistaken or manipulated identity.
DHS Faces Scrutiny DHS Faces Scrutiny
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