WASHINGTON: A man has been charged with making violent threats online against US Vice President Kamala Harris, days after she began her presidential campaign.
A user named Frank Carillo was charged Friday in federal court in Virginia with threatening Harris after posting a series of messages directed at the vice president on the social media site GETTR, according to court records.
Harris is the Democratic candidate facing former Republican President Donald Trump in the November 5 presidential election.
“(Kamala) Harris needs to be burned alive […] “I will do it myself if no one else does,” read one post cited in the court documents. Another said Harris “is going to regret ever trying to become president.”
The messages were posted on July 27, six days after President Joe Biden announced he would not run for reelection and endorsed Harris to take his place as the Democratic nominee.
The account also posted messages directed at Biden and FBI Director Christopher Wray.
According to court documents, FBI agents seized a rifle and a handgun during a search of Carillo's home. Carillo was expected to make his initial court appearance Monday. Information about Carillo's attorney was not immediately available.
U.S. Justice Department officials have expressed concern about what they call an increase in threats against public officials in the United States.
It should be noted that Republican presidential candidate Trump also survived an assassination attempt when a bullet fired by a sniper grazed his ear during a rally last month.
