Federal authorities have arrested a Trump supporter near former President Barack Obama’s residence. The individual, identified as Taylor Taranto, was found with two firearms, 400 rounds of ammunition, and a machete in his van when he was apprehended.
Authorities revealed that Taranto arrived at Obama’s residence after Trump had posted screenshots on his Truth Social platform, including what was purported to be Obama’s address. Taranto shared Trump’s post and wrote threatening messages, indicating that he and others were targeting Obama and John Podesta.
The arrest has raised concerns and prompted an investigation into potential threats against Obama’s safety.
Taranto, a 37-year-old man known for wearing a distinctive “Make Space Great Again” hat during the Capitol storming, had been living in a van that was parked in close proximity to the D.C. jail. Notably, he had been seen participating in protests supporting other defendants from the January 6th incident, as captured in various videos circulating on social media platforms. Federal authorities have highlighted Taranto’s van-dwelling situation, asserting that he had “nowhere to go.”
During Friday’s court hearing, a federal prosecutor revealed that Taranto currently faces four misdemeanor charges related to his involvement in the January 6th attack. Shockingly, Taranto had traveled to Washington with the intention of reviewing security footage of the Capitol riot, courtesy of an offer made by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. He had even shared recordings of his attempts to gain access to the footage on his social media accounts, showcasing a brazen disregard for the ongoing legal proceedings.
In a series of alarming social media posts, Taranto openly admitted to breaching the Capitol on January 6th and expressed bewilderment over why authorities had not taken action against him earlier. The motives behind Taranto’s subsequent presence near Obama’s residence were revealed after former President Donald Trump shared screenshots on his Truth Social platform, purportedly disclosing Obama’s address.
Taranto, echoing Trump’s post, wrote menacing messages on Telegram, suggesting that he and like-minded individuals were targeting Obama and Podesta, raising concerns about potential harm or acts of violence.
More than 1,000 individuals have been charged in connection with the January 6th attack on the US Capitol. Taranto’s arrest serves as a stark reminder of the complex web of radical ideologies and potential threats that continue to pose a challenge to national security.
