Homeland Security publicly accused a man of threatening Trump. He had been framed.
Kristi Noem posted a letter she said Ramón Morales Reyes wrote. Wisconsin authorities found it was forged by a man he was due to testify against.
In May 2025, then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem publicized a handwritten letter threatening to shoot Trump, along with the photo of Ramón Morales Reyes, a Milwaukee father of three who she said wrote it. Morales Reyes barely speaks or writes English; the letter was in fluent English.
Wisconsin authorities charged another man, Demetric Scott, with forging it. Prosecutors said Scott, accused of attacking Morales Reyes in 2023, wanted him deported before he could testify. Morales Reyes was released on bond in June 2025, but the original accusation stayed on a government website, and he still faces deportation. His family said in September 2026 that they plan to sue.
The receipts
Original reporting. Credit belongs to these outlets and authors; read the full stories at the source.
WPR byline on original
What to know about Ramón Morales Reyes, a Wisconsin man falsely accused of threatening Trump's lifeWisconsin Examiner by Isiah Holmes
Milwaukee man wrongly accused of threatening the president still facing deportationWisconsin Watch byline on original
Family of Milwaukee man falsely accused of threatening Trump plans to sue DHSMSN (as shared in our notes) byline on original
Kristi Noem slammed for false accusation against man who was framed