Secret Service notified after Nashville man arrested for vandalism at hotel says 'Trump needs to die'
The assassination attempt against former President Donald Trump was almost certainly spurred on by the incessantly negative and sharp anti-Trump rhetoric of Democrats and the media, and unfortunately, there are few signs that the heated talk will cool.
The U.S. Secret Service was notified after a Nashville, Tennessee, man asserted that Trump "needs to die" while being arrested for trespassing and vandalism at a hotel, USA Today reported.
The apparent death threat came less than two weeks after a gunman tried to kill Trump at a campaign rally in Pennsylvania and just a few days before the former president is expected to address a cryptocurrency conference in the Tennessee capital city.
Made threats while being arrested and booked
Local media outlet WSMV reported that Jack Campitelli, 58, was arrested by the Metro Nashville Police Department on Wednesday evening for his disruptive behavior at a JW Marriot hotel in the city's downtown area.
A passing police officer was flagged down by a hotel employee who complained that Campitelli had been throwing chairs off a balcony and ranting about politics while refusing requests to leave the business. A quick review of surveillance camera footage by the officer confirmed the man's alleged actions.
After a second officer arrived at the scene, both approached Campitelli to take him into custody, at which point he again "ranted about Trump and other political figures," per the arrest report.
Later, while being booked at the county jail, the man is alleged to have shouted, "Trump needs to die because he was a liar," which prompted the local police to notify the Secret Service of the apparent threat.
Man remains in custody despite initial bond set
According to the Davidson County Sheriff's Office, Campitelli is currently being held in custody at the Downtown Detention Facility on three misdemeanor charges that include disorderly conduct, trespass, and vandalism.
Though the records show that he has a combined bond of $2,500 for the three charges, it also indicates that he is listed as "not eligible for release" due to "mental health" reasons.
A disclaimer also notes that the listed initial bond amounts for each charge could be changed once the individual appears in court.
Trump expected to address Bitcoin conference in Nashville on Saturday
USA Today noted that former President Trump is scheduled to speak at the Bitcoin2024 conference in Nashville on Saturday, just two weeks after a would-be assassin tried to kill him during a July 13 campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
"Given the circumstances," according to local officials, security for the cryptocurrency gathering has been heightened more than it otherwise would be.
A spokesperson for the conference, Kristyna Mazankova, told the media last week, "Prior to Saturday’s events in PA, our security and production teams were already working closely with the Secret Service to incorporate additional measures for President Trump’s attendance in Nashville."
Meanwhile, Law & Crime reported that FBI Director Chris Wray testified before a congressional committee on Wednesday about the Trump rally shooting and the current "elevated threat environment" for politicians, and at one point quipped to lawmakers, "It is, quite frankly, a dangerous time to be a prominent public official."