A registered Democrat in Pennsylvania has been arrested for allegedly making threats against former President Donald J. Trump ahead of a rally at Penn State University. Paul J. Gavenonis, a transgender 74-year-old who uses female pronouns, reportedly made the threatening remarks last Friday while attempting to purchase a parking pass at the university’s transportation office.
Witnesses claim Gavenonis stated, “I hate Donald Trump. I’d like to shoot that guy,” while making a gesture mimicking the action of racking a gun. He also described scaling a building and noted, “You can’t take a gun in, or the students will see it,” according to an arrest affidavit.
Concerned by the comments, an employee alerted law enforcement. The former president was scheduled to speak at the university the following day, October 26, 2024, just days before the presidential election.
When questioned by Penn State police and Secret Service agents, Gavenonis allegedly responded with laughter when asked about the possibility of targeting Trump, answering, “Probably. Yeah.”
“Frankly, I hope somebody would get him,” he added.
Charged with making terroristic threats and disorderly conduct, Gavenonis is being held in Centre County Prison without the option of bail.