A Southern California man was arrested and charged Friday with making death threats against Vice President JD Vance during his visit to Disneyland last year.
Marco Antonio Aguayo, 22, is charged with threats against the president and successors to the presidency. He is expected to make his initial appearance in the US District Court in Santa Ana on Tuesday.
“This case is a horrific reminder of the dangers public officials face from deranged criminals who would do them harm,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said in a statement. “I am grateful that my friend Vice President Vance and his family are safe, applaud the police work that led to the arrest, and will ensure my prosecutors deliver swift justice.”
Aguayo allegedly made the threats via Instagram, in the comments section of a post made by the Walt Disney Company’s official account.
Vance’s wife, Usha, and at least two of their children were with the vice president during the visit to the “Happiest Place on Earth.”
“Pipe bombs have been placed in preparation for JD Vance’s arrival,” Aguayo allegedly wrote, in one of three unhinged comments left on July 12, 2025.
Another comment read, “It’s time for us to rise up and you will be a witness to it.”
“Good luck finding all of them on time there will be bloodshed tonight and we will bathe in the blood of corrupt politicians,” Aguayo allegedly boasted in the final deranged message.
Two Secret Service agents and an Anaheim Police Department sergeant paid Aguayo a visit less than five hours after the comments were posted.
Aguayo initially denied knowledge of the posts and claimed that his account had been hacked, according to a criminal complaint.
However, he later admitted to posting the threatening comments and allowed the agents access to his Instagram account, so they could view the posts, authorities said.
Aguayo claimed the comments were “a joke to provoke attention and laughter,” and he told law enforcement he “forgot” to delete them.
If convicted, Aguayo faces a maximum sentence of five years in federal prison.
“We will not tolerate criminal threats against public officials,” First Assistant United States Attorney Bill Essayli said in a statement. “We are grateful the Vice President and his family remained safe during their visit.
“Let this case be a warning to anyone who thinks they can make anonymous online threats. We will find you and bring you to justice.”
A spokesperson for Vance did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
