A charge has been brought against a man who allegedly issued threats aimed at Vice President JD Vance while he was on a family vacation to Disneyland last year.
The individual, Marco Antonio Aguayo, age 22 from California, is accused of sending messages claiming that pipe bombs had been placed at the amusement park coinciding with Vance’s visit with his family.
Vance and his family were visiting the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim in July 2025 when these alarming messages appeared.
An affidavit details that Aguayo allegedly left comments on The Walt Disney Company’s Instagram, stating: “Pipe bombs have been placed in preparation for J.D. Vance’s arrival.”
He then purportedly followed up with: “It’s time for us to rise up and you will be a witness to it.”
Prosecutors assert that the messages concluded with one that was characterized as ‘overtly violent’.
“Good luck finding all of them on time there will be bloodshed tonight and we will bathe in the blood of corrupt politicians,” he allegedly wrote.
Authorities were able to locate Aguayo later that day, and during questioning at his residence, he initially denied authoring the messages and speculated that his account could have been compromised.
Nevertheless, investigators report that Aguayo later confessed to posting the comments, stating to law enforcement that he ‘intended it merely as a joke to provoke attention and laughter’.
“We will not tolerate criminal threats against public officials,” said Bill Essayli, the First Assistant US Attorney for the Central District of California.
“We are grateful the Vice President and his family remained safe during their visit. Let this case be a warning to anyone who thinks they can make anonymous online threats. We will find you and bring you to justice.”
Aguayo has been charged with making threats against the President and successors to the Presidency, which carries a potential penalty of five years in federal prison if he is found guilty.
“This case is a horrific reminder of the dangers public officials face from deranged criminals who would do them harm,” stated Attorney General Pamela Bondi.
“I am grateful that my friend Vice President Vance and his family are safe, applaud the police work that led to the arrest, and will ensure my prosecutors deliver swift justice.”
Aguayo’s initial court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, January 20, in United States District Court in Santa Ana.