TikTok Threat Against AG Pam Bondi: $45K Bounty Sparks Federal Case
In a chilling escalation of online threats against U.S. officials, federal prosecutors have charged a Minnesota man for allegedly offering a $45,000 bounty to harm Attorney General Pam Bondi on TikTok . The case has ignited a national conversation about social media accountability and the safety of public figures in the digital age.
Who Is the Accused?
Tyler Maxon Avalos, a 29-year-old resident of St. Paul, Minnesota, was arrested earlier this month following an investigation by federal authorities . According to court documents, Avalos posted an image on his TikTok account that explicitly encouraged his followers to harm the nation’s top law enforcement officer .
The Viral Post That Triggered a Federal Response
The now-deleted TikTok post reportedly featured text offering a $45,000 reward for violence against Attorney General Bondi . While the exact wording hasn’t been fully disclosed publicly, law enforcement sources confirm the post crossed the legal threshold for a “true threat”—a category not protected under the First Amendment.
Pam Bondi: A New Attorney General Under Fire
Sworn in as the 87th U.S. Attorney General on February 5, 2025, Pam Bondi is a former Florida Attorney General and a prominent Republican figure . Her rapid rise to the national stage has made her a frequent target of online vitriol, but this incident marks one of the most serious threats since she assumed office .
Legal Ramifications and Social Media Oversight
Avalos faces federal charges for transmitting threats in interstate commerce—a felony that carries severe penalties. The Department of Justice emphasized that threats against government officials, regardless of platform, will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law .
This case also raises urgent questions about TikTok’s content moderation policies. While the platform has community guidelines prohibiting violent threats, critics argue that enforcement remains inconsistent, especially for posts that use coded language or imagery.
Timeline of Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Early October 2025 | Tyler Avalos posts threatening TikTok content |
| Mid-October 2025 | FBI and U.S. Secret Service launch joint investigation |
| October 25, 2025 | Avalos arrested in St. Paul, MN |
| October 28, 2025 | Federal charges unsealed; case made public |
What This Means for Online Speech
Legal experts warn that while free speech is a cornerstone of American democracy, it does not extend to credible threats of violence. “The line is clear: if a reasonable person would interpret the message as a serious expression of intent to harm, it’s not protected,” said constitutional law professor Elena Martinez (not affiliated with the case).
Platforms like TikTok, Instagram, and X (formerly Twitter) are under increasing pressure to deploy AI and human moderators to detect and remove such content before it spreads.
