People Threats President United States Threatening Law Information

"Threatening" (saying that one will do something to hurt or kill another person) the President of the United States is a "felony" (a very serious crime). However, many people argue that the law represents a "conflict" (disagreement) with "freedom of speech" (Americans' right to say what they want, without being told what they can and cannot say). Courts often "issue rulings" (make legal decisions) balancing the president's safety with American's right to free speech.

The United States "Secret Service" (the people whose job is to protect the President) is responsible for "investigating" (researching; finding more information about) threats against the president. About three-quarters of the cases they investigate involve people who are mentally ill. The Secret Services shares very little information about the threats and its investigations, because it has found that when the "media" (press; newspapers, magazines, radio, and TV) focuses on a threat against the president, many more threats are made during that period.

People who are found guilty of threatening the president may be "punished" with five to 10 years in "prison" (jail) and a maximum "fine" (money that must be paid as a punishment for what one has done) of $250,000, among other punishments. But additional punishments can "come into play" (be used) if "deemed necessary" (determined to be required). For example, people who have threatened the president online have been placed on "Internet restrictions" (limits on when and how one can use the internet).