Nebraska Woman Gets ‘Surprise’ Secret Service Visit Over Karoline Leavitt X Tweet
JAMIE BONKIEWICZ, A Nebraska activist received a visit from the U.S. Secret Service after posting a controversial message on X about White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, raising questions about freedom of speech and whether federal authorities were conducting a routine security check or responding to rhetoric they viewed as potentially threatening.
The activist later shared video showing the moment Secret Service agents arrived at her home following what authorities described as a concerning social media post involving the White House press secretary.
Nebraska resident Jamie Bonkiewicz was questioned by agents on her front porch about a post she shared on X that federal officials considered potentially threatening toward Karoline Leavitt, who serves as press secretary under the Trump administration.
In the post, Bonkiewicz wrote, “When Karoline Leavitt gets what she deserves, I hope it’s televised,” a statement that quickly drew scrutiny and sparked debate online about whether it constituted a veiled threat or was protected political speech.
Less than 24 hours after the post was shared, two Secret Service agents visited Bonkiewicz’s home to ask about the intent behind the message and whether it should be interpreted as a threat.
During the interaction, which was partially recorded on video and later posted online, agents questioned Bonkiewicz about her political views and affiliations. She explained that her statement referred to her belief that members of the Trump administration, including Leavitt, should face legal proceedings for what she described as alleged wrongdoing against U.S. citizens.
Bonkiewicz later posted alongside the video, stating that the Secret Service visit stemmed solely from her tweet and that she had made no threats or calls for violence.
The video quickly circulated on social media, generating millions of views and a wide range of reactions. Some users expressed concern that the visit could have a chilling effect on free speech, while others argued that authorities were justified in checking on statements that could be interpreted as threatening.
In the video, an agent can be heard explaining that freedom of speech is protected, but that the line is crossed when a direct threat is made. The agent described Bonkiewicz’s post as potentially “veiled,” adding that after speaking with her and determining she did not intend harm, the matter would be documented and closed.
Bonkiewicz denied making any threats and reiterated that her comments referred to legal accountability, not violence. She referenced historical war crimes trials when explaining her remarks, saying she wanted to see televised legal proceedings, not physical harm.
The episode occurred amid Bonkiewicz’s broader history of political activism and public criticism of former President Donald Trump and other Republican figures. She has previously participated in public hearings, shared political content on social media, and attended demonstrations on various policy issues.
The incident continues to prompt debate over the balance between protecting public officials and safeguarding free expression, particularly in an era when social media posts can rapidly draw national attention.
