John Paul Cupp, 45, is charged with making violent threats against law enforcement officers and their families at an ICE facility in South Portland. The accused man allegedly threatened to kill officers and sexually assault their wives and children. According to court filings, Cupp hurled insults at law enforcement officers on October 14, 2025, as they approached a crowd.
The FBI has stated that Cupp is a prolific producer of online content that includes aggressive rhetoric, calls for war against the United States, antisemitic threats, and threats of violence. In a statement, FBI Director Kash Patel emphasized that such threats will be met with the full force of the federal government. He said, ‘If you threaten to kill law enforcement officers or harm their families, you will face the full weight of the federal government. This FBI will use every investigative tool we have to identify violent extremists and remove them from our communities.’
In a statement, U.S. Attorney Scott E. Bradford reiterated that threats of violence against law enforcement will not be tolerated. He said, ‘The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to holding those accountable who threaten and intimidate those who protect our communities, and we will continue to prosecute criminal threats of violence to the fullest extent of the law.’ Acting FBI Special Agent Matt Torres added, ‘Attempts to intimidate those sworn to protect the American people and uphold our Constitution degrade efforts to keep all of us safe. The FBI will use all investigative means available to us to seek out and arrest anyone using violent rhetoric to express themselves.’
The case has sparked national attention due to the severity of the alleged threats, including a video posted on November 3, 2025, and a subsequent post on November 13, 2025, that continued to reiterate the same violent rhetoric. The FBI also noted that Cupp’s online content has included calls for war against the United States, antisemitic content, and other extremist views. While the case is a local incident, it has highlighted the ongoing concern over extremist speech and the potential for such rhetoric to incite violence. This incident also underscores the FBI’s determination to combat all forms of violent extremism, regardless of the ideological background of the perpetrator.