West Virginia Residents Face Charges in Separate Plots to Threaten Trump and ICE Officials
A concerning trend of escalating threats against public officials and their supporters is unfolding in West Virginia, with two individuals recently facing charges related to violent rhetoric and alleged plots. Authorities are investigating both cases as potential acts of domestic extremism, raising questions about the influence of online radicalization and the safety of those serving in law enforcement and government.
On January 19, 2026, troopers with the Harrison County sector of the West Virginia police initiated an investigation following a “threats complaint” received from the local county sheriff’s department. The investigation centered on 20-year-old Cody Smith, who allegedly posted videos online expressing intent to harm supporters of President Donald Trump and agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). According to a criminal complaint, Smith stated in the videos that he would “attack and kill ICE agents” and also allegedly threatened a DHS employee who answered his call.
Smith is now charged with making terroristic threats, with authorities uncovering additional social media posts indicating a broader pattern of violent rhetoric. These posts reportedly included statements expressing an intent to “murder Trump supporters and or war supporters, or service members willing to ‘bootlick,’” as well as direct threats against the former president. He is currently being held at the North Central Regional Jail on a $75,000 bond. Attempts to locate legal representation for Smith have been unsuccessful, and the Harrison County Prosecutor’s Office has not yet issued a comment on the case.
This incident comes on the heels of another concerning case in West Virginia, involving Morgan Morrow, a 39-year-old librarian from Ripley. Morrow was arrested Sunday in connection with what police described as a “social media recruitment of individuals to pursue and assassinate President Trump.” The Jackson County Sheriff’s Department stated the investigation was prompted by a video reportedly published by Morrow, an employee of the Jackson County Public Library, and shared by Libs of TikTok. The video allegedly included the caption, “Surely a sniper with a terminal illness cannot be a big ask out of 343 million.”
The Jackson County Public Library swiftly condemned Morrow’s alleged statements, releasing a statement emphasizing that her views do not reflect the organization’s values. “The comments recently made by an employee do not reflect the mission, values, or standards of conduct of our organization,” the library stated. “We are addressing the matter internally in accordance to our established policies and procedures.”
These cases highlight a growing national concern regarding the increasing frequency of threats against public officials, particularly in the wake of heightened political polarization. A recent report from the Department of Homeland Security indicated a 1,150% surge in violence against ICE agents linked to rhetoric from “sanctuary politicians.” These incidents underscore the potential for online extremism to translate into real-world violence and the challenges law enforcement faces in mitigating these threats.
The investigations into both Smith and Morrow are ongoing, and authorities are working to determine the full extent of their alleged plans and any potential connections to broader extremist networks. The cases serve as a stark reminder of the fragility of public safety and the importance of vigilance in addressing the threat of domestic terrorism.
