In a dramatic twist to a case involving a reported death threat against former President Donald Trump, investigators now believe the accused, an undocumented immigrant named Ramon Morales Reyes, may have been set up. This revelation follows an explosive claim by Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who on Tuesday accused Reyes of sending a threatening letter. However, law enforcement sources now indicate that the case might be more complex than initially portrayed.
The controversy began when Secretary Noem posted an image of a letter she said had been written by Reyes. The letter contained chilling language, stating the author planned to “self-deport back to Mexico after shooting… your precious president in his head.” Noem’s post drew widespread attention and sparked concern about the potential for violence.
However, investigators quickly began scrutinizing the letter’s origins. Reyes, who is currently in custody, was asked to provide a handwriting sample. Sources familiar with the case told CNN that Reyes’ handwriting did not match the letter in question, prompting further inquiries.
Investigators now believe the letter may have been a ploy designed to remove Reyes from the United States before he could testify in a separate criminal case. Reyes is the victim in an assault and robbery case set to go to trial this summer. Law enforcement suspects someone involved in that case may have orchestrated the letter in an attempt to have Reyes deported, effectively silencing him as a witness.
Milwaukee police have since launched an investigation into potential identity theft and victim intimidation related to the incident. As of now, no charges have been filed against those suspected of framing Reyes.
Despite the evolving narrative, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has maintained that the threat against Trump remains under investigation. DHS officials have also confirmed Reyes’ undocumented status and said he will remain in custody.
Sources praised law enforcement’s handling of the case, noting that authorities acted swiftly to assess the threat. Investigators examined the letter, conducted handwriting analyses, reviewed jail phone calls, and traced the letter’s origins. These efforts uncovered evidence that Reyes likely did not write the letter, pointing instead to others who may have sought to manipulate the situation for personal gain.
Critics argue that Secretary Noem’s public handling of the situation was premature and may have muddied the waters. Her decision to share the letter and Reyes’ image on social media before the investigation was complete has drawn scrutiny. Former FBI Deputy Director Andy McCabe referred to the incident as a “classic poison pen” scenario, where false accusations are used to frame individuals.
“This case underscores why political leadership should avoid jumping to conclusions during active investigations,” McCabe said. “Once names and faces are made public, it’s nearly impossible to undo the damage, even if the accusations are later proven false.”
While the incident has raised questions about political interference in law enforcement investigations, some see it as a testament to the effectiveness of the agencies involved. Law enforcement professionals quickly unraveled the case, tracing the letter to its true origin and preventing a potential miscarriage of justice.
For now, Reyes remains in custody as investigators continue their work. Meanwhile, questions linger about how such a high-profile case was so publicly mishandled—and whether it will lead to changes in how politically sensitive investigations are communicated to the public.