A medically discharged Marine running as a write-in candidate for Florida's 5th Congressional District has drawn swift condemnation from the Marine Corps, the acting Secretary of the Navy, and law enforcement after posting a video to social media calling President Trump "the Antichrist" who "must be killed."

William Upham, a former Marine and prosecutor, posted the nearly seven-minute video to his X account, prompting immediate backlash and an investigation by the U.S. Secret Service. Threatening the president is a federal crime under 18 U.S.C. § 871, punishable by up to five years in prison.

Marine Corps Issues Rare Rebuke

The U.S. Marine Corps took the unusual step of publicly disavowing Upham following the video's circulation. In a statement, the Corps made clear that Upham's views do not represent the institution and emphasized that he is no longer affiliated with the Marines.

The acting Secretary of the Navy also condemned Upham's remarks, underscoring the seriousness with which military leadership is treating the incident. Such public rebukes of former service members are rare and signal the severity of the situation.

Secret Service Investigating

The U.S. Secret Service confirmed it is aware of Upham's comments and is investigating anything perceived as a threat against a protectee. The agency did not provide additional details about the status of the investigation.

Upham is a write-in candidate in the district currently represented by Rep. John Rutherford, a Republican. His campaign appeared to exist only on paper prior to the video going viral for all the wrong reasons.

A New Low in Political Discourse

The incident highlights the increasingly unhinged rhetoric targeting President Trump. Despite surviving two assassination attempts, Trump continues to face threats from individuals across the political spectrum.

Some observers noted the stark contrast between the response to Upham's video and the treatment of conservatives who have been banned from social media platforms for far less inflammatory speech. The video remained on X for hours before being removed.

Whether Upham will face federal charges remains to be seen. The Secret Service investigation is ongoing, and prosecutors will ultimately decide whether his statements meet the legal threshold for a criminal threat against the president.

For now, Upham stands as a cautionary tale of how far some will go in their opposition to the Trump administration.