A librarian from Ripley, West Virginia, has been arrested after allegedly using social media to encourage violence against President Donald Trump, according to local authorities.
Social media recruitment
Morgan L. Morrow, 39, an employee of the Jackson County Public Library, has been charged with one count of making a terroristic threat, according to The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.
”When you saddle up on the horse of stupidity, you have to be prepared for the ride that follows,” Sheriff Ross Mellinger told 13 News.
Investigators say the case came to light after Morrow posted a disturbing video on Instagram that authorities believe crossed the line from political rhetoric into criminal behavior.
In a statement released Sunday evening, the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department said Morrow used “social media recruitment of individuals to pursue and assassinate President Trump.”
“Further details will be released as we continue to compile facts and further the investigation,” Sheriff RH Mellinger said. “NOTE: This is not meant to be a political – oriented statement. This is an active criminal investigation with documented and troubling concerns.”
According to officials, the video included a caption that immediately raised alarms. It read: “Surely a sniper with a terminal illness cannot be a big ask out of 343 million.”
The post gained further attention when commenters allegedly expanded on the violent rhetoric, suggesting assassinations of other public figures, including White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, tech CEO Larry Ellison, and entrepreneur Peter Thiel.
The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department emphasized that the investigation remains ongoing and that additional information will be released as authorities continue gathering evidence.
According to the Daily Mail, Morrow allegedly admitted during a police interview that she wrote and posted the statement on TikTok, saying it was “intended as a threat directed toward President Trump,” the outlet reported.
She allegedly told investigators that she had “personal reasons for wishing harm upon the President,” though the complaint did not elaborate on what those reasons were.
While the librarian is said to have acknowledged making the social media post, she reportedly insisted she never planned to act on the threat herself.
Police, however, stated that her words could still “encourage, inspire, or entice others to carry out the threatened act, regardless of whether the speaker publicly intends to personally do so,” according to the complaint.
“We’re just trying to do our part in making sure that it’s not acted upon, and there’s no one that’s following her footsteps to try to carry out the plan,” Mellinger told the outlet.
Following the arrest, the Jackson County Public Library issued a public statement distancing itself from the alleged comments made by its employee.
“The comments recently made by an employee do not reflect the mission, values, or standards of conduct of our organization,” the statement read.
“We take our responsibilities to the public and our supporters seriously and are committed to professionalism, respect, and integrity in all that we do.”
“The views expressed are made in an individual capacity and do not represent the position of the organization. We are addressing the matter internally in accordance to our established policies and procedures. We remain committed to our mission and serving our community in a manner that upholds our core values.”
Authorities stressed that the charge of making a terroristic threat carries serious legal consequences, particularly when directed at a sitting or former president. Legal experts note that online platforms have increasingly become a vehicle for violent rhetoric, raising concerns about how quickly such ideas can spread.
The Department of Homeland Security has not yet released a public statement on the case.
Donald Trump has faced multiple assassination attempts and death threats over the years, both while campaigning and during his presidency. The first known incident happened at a Las Vegas rally in 2016, just before he secured the Republican nomination. Several other attempts were thwarted during his first term without injury.
The most serious attack occurred at a Pennsylvania campaign rally in 2024 during his second presidential run. Two people were killed — the gunman and a spectator — and Trump was wounded when a bullet grazed his right ear, marking the only physical injury he has suffered in these incidents.
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