Turning Point table flipper threatened Trump, arrested by feds after firing from teaching assistant job: FBI

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This story is part of Fox News Digital's investigative series Campus Radicals. Get the full series here.

FIRST ON FOX: A former teaching assistant who was fired by Illinois State University was arrested in a joint operation by FBI and Secret Service agents on Tuesday.

Derek Lopez, 27, has been charged with threatening President Donald Trump, according to the bureau.

"The arrest follows a month-long investigation coordinated with the above agencies, which also included the Illinois State University Police Department, regarding Lopez's online and in-person activities," according to an FBI memo obtained by Fox News Digital. "Lopez is alleged to have recently made threats against a sitting President, which prompted the current federal charges."

He made his first court appearance on Wednesday afternoon.

FBI Director Kash Patel described the alleged threats as "heinous."

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"The threats against President Trump allegedly posted by this individual are heinous and have no place in American society," he told Fox News Digital. "Let this be a message to all who consider threats of violence not just against public officials, but any American, that this FBI will find you and bring you to justice. I want to thank our local partners, the El Paso PD in Illinois, as well as USSS who assisted us with this case."

Lopez, who was a graduate student, was fired from his role as a teaching assistant at Illinois State University after a viral video showed him flipping over a table that belonged to Turning Point USA chapter members on campus.

He was seen in the video speaking to a man next to where the conservative group was promoting an upcoming appearance by political comedian Alex Stein.

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"Well, you know, Jesus did it, so you know I gotta do it, right?" Lopez told the man before flipping the table over.

"Thanks guys, have a great day," he said before walking away.

"While Illinois State University does not comment specifically on personnel matters, we can confirm Derek Lopez has been relieved of his duties as a graduate teaching assistant pending further investigation," the school confirmed on Oct. 20.

Lopez had already been arrested by local police for the table-flipping incident. He was charged with disorderly conduct and criminal damage to property.

Illinois State University declined to comment.