Alabama students accused of making threats against Trump on TikTok, X - USA Today
Three University of South Alabama students were arrested Oct. 2 and charged with threatening President Donald Trump on social media ahead of his campaign rally at the Mobile, Alabama, campus.
Amare Jemal Woods, Cameron Lamark Lewis and Kayla Leaann Smith are accused of making separate threats on TikTok and X in the days before Trump's Oct. 2 appearance at the university's Mitchell Center, according to AL.com. Authorities said the alleged posts were not connected to one another.
The alleged threats were discovered Sept. 29 during an intelligence search of social media conducted ahead of Trump's visit, AL.com reported. The three students were taken into custody Friday and were scheduled to appear in federal court Monday for detention hearings.
USA TODAY reached out to the FBI for comment on the arrests and the allegations against the three students. The FBI did not immediately respond.
Trump's rally proceeded as planned in the evening on Oct. 2. The University of South Alabama said the event was not university-sponsored and that the Mitchell Center had been rented by the Republican National Committee, Fox News reported.
Woods, an 18-year-old freshman studying aerospace engineering, is accused of commenting "he gotta die bro" with a crying emoji on a Sept. 27 TikTok post about Trump's planned visit to campus, according to AL.com.
Lewis, who studies biology, is accused of making two threatening statements on X on Sept. 26. One allegedly referenced Utah Valley University, where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was assassinated in September 2025. A second post referenced the fatal shooting of Chicago rapper Mikquale Cooper, also known as BloodHound Q50, according to People.
Smith, who studies elementary education, is accused of replying to a Sept. 29 TikTok about Trump's visit by writing, "We only got one chance let's take it." She also allegedly posted an image of a person appearing to mimic holding a firearm.
Jason Darley, Woods' attorney, said his client is a young student who may have been caught up in inflammatory social media rhetoric.
"It's unfortunate because he's a very young, very small kid and he's sitting in federal court," Darley said, according to AL.com. He said Woods was the furthest from the typical defendant he had represented in 21 years of practicing in federal court.
Darley also said he does not believe Woods or the other two students pose a threat. He characterized Woods' alleged comment as something made in jest and said the case remains in its early stages.
In an emailed statement to USA TODAY, Darley said Woods "is an 18 year old kid" who graduated from high school in May and is attending South Alabama on a scholarship as an aerospace engineering student. Darley said Woods' comment was "in poor taste, and with terrible timing," but "was NOT a threat."
"Unfortunately, social media has driven most people to extremes," Darley said.
He said he could not speak for Lewis or Smith but argued that Woods' arrest was an overreach.
The University of South Alabama condemned the alleged threats while emphasizing that free expression does not protect unlawful conduct.
"The University of South Alabama unequivocally condemns any form of threats directed at elected officials or any individual with whom we disagree," the university said in a statement to AL.com.
The university added that it encourages open dialogue and civic participation but said there is a distinction between free expression and "engaging in intimidation or unlawful conduct."
USA TODAY reached out to the University of South Alabama for additional comment on the arrests and the allegations against the students. Attorneys for Lewis and Smith were not able to be immediately identified.
Reporter Anthony Thompson can be reached at ajthompson@usatodayco.com, or on X @athompsonUSAT
