Christina Montoya, a woman from San Antonio, Texas, was arrested in Washington, DC, on Friday after allegedly threatening President Donald Trump. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) apprehended Montoya near the White House with an unlicensed firearm and a magazine.
The MPD was tipped off about Montoya’s travel to the capital, leading to her arrest. Trump, meanwhile, was in the Hamptons meeting with donors on the day of the arrest. The police report notes an “offense start date” of July 20, 2024, but the timing of the alleged threats remains uncertain.
Montoya was found less than a mile from Capitol Hill and about three miles from the White House, armed with the unlicensed weapon. This arrest follows a recent assassination attempt on Trump during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.
At a subsequent rally in Atlanta, Georgia, Trump praised the Secret Service agents who protected him during the Butler incident, describing the moment when the shooter, Thomas Matthew Crooks, opened fire. Trump called the agents “brave” and attributed his survival to divine intervention.
Reflecting on the event, Trump said, “The first one was not a good situation, not a good situation. That was really something incredible. That was from God.” A bullet had pierced Trump’s ear, leaving him bloodied, but he escaped more serious harm.
Crooks, a 20-year-old from Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, was shot and killed by Secret Service agents at the scene. This incident was the most serious assassination attempt on a presidential candidate since Ronald Reagan was shot in 1981.
Montoya faces charges of possessing an unregistered firearm, carrying a pistol without a license, and making threats against a former president. Trump is listed as a victim on the latter charge. The arrest underscores the persistent security threats to high-profile political figures and the critical need for vigilant protection.
As authorities investigate Montoya’s motives and actions, security measures are likely to be intensified to prevent similar threats. The case serves as a reminder of the dangers faced by public figures and the essential role of law enforcement in ensuring their safety.
