A Georgia man, Elliott Owen Schroer, has been charged with making violent and graphic threats against former Attorney General Pam Bondi and former Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem. The threats, allegedly made on social media, have led to federal charges of interstate communication and threats against former federal officials. Authorities are taking the matter seriously as the defendant faces potential criminal consequences for his actions.
Alleged Threats Against Kristi Noem
According to the indictment filed in the Northern District of Georgia, Schroer posted multiple threatening messages directed at Kristi Noem on April 3. These comments were not only violent but graphic in nature, including one that allegedly stated, “I will stab your eyes out with a dull knife.” Other threats toward Noem included more explicit violence, such as “I will blow your esophagus out the back of your neck with a 12 gauge slug” and “we will put your head on a stake.”
The indictment further outlines that Schroer’s threats were not limited to these specific posts. Prosecutors argued that Schroer “consciously disregarded a substantial risk” that his communications could be interpreted as threats of violence. Additionally, Schroer allegedly threatened to “assault, kidnap, and murder” Noem in retaliation for her actions during her service at the DHS.
Violent Threats Against Pam Bondi
In addition to the threats directed at Noem, Schroer also allegedly posted violent messages about former Attorney General Pam Bondi. The indictment claims that Schroer knowingly sent a communication via X (formerly Twitter) that contained a direct threat to Bondi, stating: “we’re going to kill you Pam.”
The charges against Schroer related to Bondi are similar to those involving Noem, in that they allege the defendant’s actions were motivated by retaliation for Bondi’s role in the Trump administration. As with the threats against Noem, prosecutors contend that Schroer’s communications constituted a threat to injure Bondi.
Legal Action and Court Proceedings
An arrest warrant was issued for Schroer on the same day the indictment was filed. His case was swiftly assigned to U.S. District Judge Richard W. Story and Magistrate Judge Anna W. Howard. On Thursday, Schroer requested a federal public defender, a request that was granted by the court.
The charges against Schroer are severe, and the case highlights the seriousness with which authorities treat threats made against public officials. As legal proceedings continue, more details are likely to emerge about how law enforcement traced the social media posts to the defendant.
