How a Chicago Woman Ended Up in Jail for Threatening to Kill Donald Trump and His Son

Tracy Marie Fiorenza, a 41-year-old woman from Plainfield, Illinois, has been charged with threatening to kill former President Donald Trump and his son Barron Trump, according to a federal criminal complaint filed in Florida. Fiorenza allegedly sent two emails to the headmaster of a school in Palm Beach County, where Trump has his primary residence, stating that she would shoot Trump and Barron “straight in the face” at any opportunity she got. She also claimed that she would act in self-defense if confronted by them.

Fiorenza was arrested on Monday, August 21, 2023, by the U.S. Secret Service and appeared in court later that day. She faces a maximum sentence of five years in prison if convicted of transmitting threats to kill or injure another person in interstate commerce.

What motivated Tracy Marie Fiorenza to make the threats?

The complaint does not reveal the motive behind Fiorenza’s threats, but it suggests that she had a strong dislike for Trump and his family. A social media account that appeared to belong to her contained several anti-Trump posts, including some that accused him and his son of being part of a “Hollywood pedophile/rape ring” and one that showed a Trump doll being hung with a noose. One of the “life events” listed on the page was “contacts the United States Secret Service.”

Fiorenza also made reference to the 2020 presidential election, which Trump lost to Democrat Joe Biden but refused to concede. In her second email to the headmaster, she wrote: “I will not stand for this election fraud! I will not let this country be taken over by communists! I will not let this country be destroyed by Donald Trump!”

How did the authorities track down Fiorenza?

The complaint states that Fiorenza used her own email address and name to send the threats, which made it easy for the authorities to identify her. She also confirmed to the Secret Service agents that she intentionally wrote and sent the emails from her residence in Plainfield. She voluntarily agreed to an audio and video interview at the Chicago field office on June 14, 2023, where she admitted that she was angry at Trump and wanted him out of office.

The complaint also notes that Fiorenza had a history of mental health issues and had been hospitalized several times for suicidal ideation and depression. She told the agents that she was taking medication for bipolar disorder and anxiety.

What are the legal implications of Fiorenza’s case?

Fiorenza’s case is one of several that involve threats or violence against Trump or his supporters, reflecting the high level of political polarization and tension in the country. According to a Reuters report released earlier this month, political violence and threats in the U.S. have reached their worst level since the 1970s.

Fiorenza’s case also raises questions about the freedom of speech and the limits of online expression. While some may argue that Fiorenza’s emails were protected by the First Amendment, others may contend that they crossed the line into criminal behavior. The U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that “true threats” are not protected by the Constitution and can be prosecuted.

The legal definition of a true threat, however, is not clear-cut and depends on various factors, such as the context, the intent, and the likelihood of carrying out the threat. In Fiorenza’s case, the prosecution will have to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that she intended to cause fear or harm to Trump and Barron and that her emails were not mere hyperbole or venting.

What are the next steps in Fiorenza’s case?

Fiorenza is currently being held at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in Chicago pending a detention hearing scheduled for August 24, 2023. She will then be transferred to Florida, where her case will be handled by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida.

The complaint states that Fiorenza’s bond has been set at $200,000 and that she is subject to several conditions if released. She is prohibited from contacting or intimidating any co-defendant, witness, or victim in the case, including on social media. She is also barred from communicating about the facts of the case with anyone except her attorneys.

Fiorenza’s arraignment is expected to take place in September 2023 and her trial is slated for March 2024. She has pleaded not guilty to the charge and has retained two defense attorneys: John Loevy and Tara Thompson.

NameTracy Marie Fiorenza
Age41
ResidencePlainfield, Illinois
OccupationFormer teacher
ChargeTransmitting threats to kill or injure another person in interstate commerce
TargetFormer President Donald Trump and his son Barron Trump
MethodEmail
MotiveUnknown, but possibly related to political views and mental health issues
Arrest dateAugust 21, 2023
Bond amount$200,000
Trial dateMarch 2024

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