Teen Trump supporter accused of threatening Harris supporters with machete at polling station

An 18-year-old Donald Trump supporter has been charged with a felony after police say he threatened two Kamala Harris supporters with a two-foot (60-centimeter) machete while canvassing near an early voting site in Florida.

According to Neptune Beach police, Caleb James Williams is charged with aggravated assault on a person 65 years of age or older and unlawful possession of a dangerous weapon.

Police Chief Michael Key Jr. said Williams and seven 16- and 17-year-olds came to the library in suburban Jacksonville on Tuesday afternoon specifically to “protest and confront the opposite political side.” Carrying Trump flags, they started yelling at a group of Harris supporters and it escalated.

Key showed a photo taken by a witness of a smiling Williams “swinging a machete in an aggressive, threatening position overhead.” The supporters of Harris, whom he allegedly threatened, are women aged 71 and 54.

“This goes far beyond the expression of freedom of speech. Saying your figure is your First Amendment right, but that goes out the window the moment you raise a machete over your head,” Key said. Neptune Beach is an upscale suburb of 7,000 residents with a median income of 110 000 dollars, according to census data.

Williams, a restaurant assistant, was booked into the Duval County Jail Wednesday afternoon on $55,000 bond following his initial court appearance. If the registered Republican is released, the judge ordered him to stay 1,000 feet (300 meters) from any polling place, except to vote in person and wear an ankle monitor.

Duval Public Defender Charlie Cofer, whose office was assigned the Williams case, declined to comment. Williams’ father did not return messages left on his cellphone. The minimum sentence for assaulting an elder in Florida is three years in prison. Maximum 15.

Key said the seven juveniles with Williams do not appear to have committed any crimes, but the investigation is ongoing.