A Portland man, John Paul Cupp, 45, appeared in federal court after being charged with making violent threats against federal law enforcement officers at the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) building in South Portland.
Cupp faces a criminal complaint for threats made against a federal law enforcement officer. According to court documents, on October 14, 2025, he shouted insults at officers as they approached a crowd and threatened to kill them and sexually assault their wives. Authorities allege that Cupp later posted videos online repeating these threats toward federal agents and their families on November 3 and continued posting similar violent threats on November 13.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Oregon Scott E. Bradford commented: “Threats of violence against the brave members of law enforcement and their families will not be tolerated. The U.S. Attorney’s Office remains committed to holding those accountable who threaten and intimidate those who protect our communities, and we will continue to prosecute criminal threats of violence to the fullest extent of the law.”
Acting FBI Portland Special Agent in Charge Matt Torres stated: “Threats to law enforcement personnel have absolutely no place in our community. Attempts to intimidate those sworn to protect the American people and uphold our Constitution degrade efforts to keep all of us safe. The FBI will use all investigative means available to us to seek out and arrest anyone using violent rhetoric to express themselves.”
Court records indicate that Cupp is an active online content creator who frequently posts aggressive messages, including calls for war against the United States, antisemitic threats, and other statements promoting violence.
Since June 13, 2025, forty individuals have been charged with federal crimes related to incidents near ICE facilities in Oregon. These charges include assaulting federal officers, failure to comply with orders, and damaging government property.
Cupp was ordered detained pending further proceedings after his initial appearance before a U.S. Magistrate Judge. The case is being investigated by the FBI and prosecuted by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Oregon.
Officials remind that a criminal complaint is only an accusation; defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
