For threatening to assassinate President Donald Trump and Elon Musk with a high-powered rifle, the FBI is investigating a New York man.
Brian Tate, a convicted felon with 95,000 social media followers, made explicit threats against conservative leaders.
He did so while referencing the recent assassination attempt on the president and claiming his “.270 is ready.”
Federal investigators have launched a probe into 50-year-old Tate from High Falls, New York, after discovering multiple violent threats posted on social media under the alias James Tate.
According to a newly unsealed FBI affidavit filed in federal court, Tate specifically mentioned using a .270 caliber bolt-action rifle to carry out attacks against both President Trump and Musk.
The threats against the president were particularly alarming as they referenced the July assassination attempt, where President Trump was shot in the ear at a Pennsylvania rally.
In one post, Tate responded to a graphic animation of the president’s head exploding by writing, “I can do that with a .270 from 300 yards.”
The FBI affidavit reveals Tate made multiple menacing posts about his rifle, writing “My .270 is ready” and “My favorite rifle is my 270 MAGA, stop asking.”
These statements came alongside derogatory comments about President Trump, showing a pattern of escalating threats.
Musk was also targeted by Tate’s threatening rhetoric. After reading an article about Musk’s stance on Social Security, Tate ominously wrote on December 5, “Millions of us declare war back.”
In another post aimed at Musk, he specifically mentioned using his rifle to target the billionaire entrepreneur from a distance.
The investigation has involved both the FBI and U.S. Secret Service, who executed a search warrant at Tate’s residence looking for illegal firearms and digital evidence.
The case is particularly concerning because Tate has a previous felony conviction from 1998 for criminal sale of a controlled substance, which would make possession of any firearms illegal.
Despite the ongoing federal investigation, Tate’s social media account remains active with over 95,000 followers.
The account continues to post content critical of President Trump and the government, regularly engaging with numerous responses and reposts that align with his anti-conservative viewpoints.
This case highlights the ongoing security threats faced by President Trump and his allies.
The FBI’s swift action demonstrates that authorities are taking threats against conservative leaders seriously, especially following the actual assassination attempt on President Trump earlier this year.
In the meantime, law enforcement continues to assess the potential risks as the investigation proceeds.
