Teacher Under Secret Service Probe Over Threats

Waterville, Maine – The U.S. Secret Service is investigating JoAnna St. Germain, a high school English teacher, following a series of increasingly concerning Facebook posts calling for harm to supporters of President Donald Trump and those around him. The Bangor Daily News first reported on the posts earlier this week.

St. Germain initially wrote that the Secret Service had “the perfect opportunity” to “take out every single person who supports Trump’s illegal, immoral, unconstitutional acts.” While she later claimed this wasn’t a call for assassination, she simultaneously stated she would “take them out myself” if she possessed the necessary skills.

The teacher’s statements prompted a response from local police, who confirmed collaboration with federal law enforcement and school officials to ensure community safety, particularly for students. A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed the Secret Service was aware of the posts but declined further comment.

Despite the attention and official scrutiny, St. Germain continued to post on Facebook, explicitly stating she believed Trump and his “cronies need to die.” She later attempted to clarify her statements, claiming she meant those enabling Trump’s actions should be held accountable, but then reaffirmed her original sentiment, stating she stood by her words and meant what she said.

The situation highlights the escalating rhetoric surrounding political figures and the potential for online statements to be interpreted as genuine threats. While freedom of speech is a cornerstone of American society, the line between protected expression and actionable threats remains a complex and often fraught issue. The Secret Service’s involvement underscores the seriousness with which such statements are being taken, particularly given the current political climate and heightened security concerns surrounding high-profile individuals. It’s a stark reminder of the responsibility individuals have when expressing potentially inflammatory opinions online and the potential consequences of those expressions.