Federal agents arrested a suburban Chicago man Friday morning, charging him with making violent threats against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers and several prominent political figures, according to court records reviewed by ABC7 and FOX 32 Chicago. The suspect, Michael Stover, 33, was taken into custody in a Downers Grove apartment parking lot by agents from FBI Chicago’s Joint Terrorism Task Force, following months of monitoring his social media activity and a series of increasingly extreme online posts.
The criminal complaint, unsealed late Friday afternoon, details a pattern of threatening behavior by Stover between February and July 2025. Prosecutors allege Stover repeatedly posted death threats on social media, including explicit threats to kill ICE agents "on sight" and menacing messages targeting the U.S. president and other high-profile political figures. According to ABC7, one post from April 2025 read: "The us president just said he wants to purpose build concentration camps for his political enemies. Its war right here and now against this attacker or we die in slavery. Put down your posters and selfie sticks and pick up a weapon!"
Another chilling incident cited in the complaint occurred in February, when Stover posted a photograph online showing five rifle bullets. Each bullet had the first name of a well-known political figure written on it in marker, and the bullets were placed atop two hunting knives. While the complaint did not reveal the specific names, the symbolism was clear—and deeply alarming to authorities.
“The FBI has zero tolerance for anyone who makes the criminal decision to compromise the safety of those who serve and protect our communities,” FBI Chicago stated in a social media post, as reported by FOX 32 Chicago. The agency’s National Threat Operations Center had been tracking Stover’s online activity for months, and in May 2025, they contacted the U.S. Secret Service to initiate a formal investigation.
As the investigation unfolded, local law enforcement became involved. On May 7, Downers Grove police and the FBI submitted a Clear and Present Danger request to the Illinois State Police, resulting in the immediate revocation of Stover’s Firearm Owner’s Identification (FOID) Card—a legal requirement for firearm possession in Illinois. The very next day, officers responded to a 911 call reporting a domestic disturbance at Stover’s residence. When they arrived, Stover answered the door with his hands in the air, an empty holster at his side, a pocketknife, and a full magazine on his hip.
Although no charges were filed in connection with the domestic disturbance, the police seized a significant arsenal from Stover’s home: six handguns, five rifles, a shotgun, and various rounds of ammunition, including the five rifle bullets labeled with political figures’ names. According to ABC7, despite the weapons cache and the revoked FOID card, state prosecutors declined to file unlawful firearm possession charges, and Stover was released after questioning. During an interview with a Downers Grove Crisis Intervention Sergeant and the FBI, Stover reportedly expressed frustration about global affairs and the U.S. government.
But Stover’s release did little to curb his online activities. Court records show that he continued to post threats on his BlueSky account, escalating his rhetoric. In a July 7 post cited in the criminal complaint, Stover allegedly wrote: "ICE is a terrorist organization. Share this if you think we should shoot them down like dogs." These statements, prosecutors argue, crossed the threshold from protected speech to criminal threats, particularly given the context of his prior posts and the weapons previously seized from his home.
The timing of Stover’s arrest coincides with heightened tensions around immigration enforcement in the Chicago area. According to FOX 32 Chicago, the Trump administration had recently announced plans to ramp up immigration operations in the region and to deploy the National Guard in an effort to address rising violence. While law enforcement officials have not explicitly linked Stover’s threats to these policy developments, the backdrop of increased federal activity may have contributed to the urgency of the investigation.
At his initial court appearance on September 5, Stover appeared shackled before U.S. District Court Magistrate Judge David Weisman. He told the court that he worked in air conditioning, but did not enter a plea to the federal charge of making a true threat against immigration and public officials. Given the violent nature of his online posts and the weapons previously found in his possession, federal prosecutors requested that Stover remain in custody pending a detention hearing. That hearing is scheduled for September 10, 2025, at 11 a.m.
Details about how Stover communicated his threats—beyond the social media posts cited in the complaint—have not been made public. The criminal complaint, unsealed Friday, underscores the seriousness with which federal authorities are treating threats against law enforcement and government officials, especially in an era when online rhetoric can all too easily spill over into real-world violence.
The FBI’s swift action in this case reflects a broader trend in federal law enforcement: a zero-tolerance stance toward credible threats against public servants. As FBI Chicago emphasized, protecting those who serve and safeguard the community is paramount, and threats—whether made in person or online—will be met with the full force of the law.
Stover’s case also highlights challenges in balancing First Amendment rights with public safety concerns. While political speech, even when harsh or controversial, is generally protected, the law draws a firm line at true threats—statements that convey a serious intent to commit violence. Prosecutors allege that Stover’s posts, combined with his access to firearms and the explicit targeting of named officials, crossed that line.
As the September 10 detention hearing approaches, the case has drawn attention not only for its disturbing details but also for what it may signal about the evolving landscape of political extremism and law enforcement in the digital age. The outcome of Stover’s legal proceedings could set important precedents for how similar threats are handled in the future, particularly as social media platforms continue to serve as both a megaphone and a battleground for political expression.
For now, Michael Stover remains in federal custody, awaiting his next day in court—a stark reminder of the real-world consequences that can follow from words posted online.
