A man from California is now confronting serious federal charges after allegedly posting online threats to plant pipe bombs at Disneyland. The threats coincided with a summer visit to the theme park by US Vice President JD Vance and his family.
The Alleged Threats and Immediate Investigation
Marco Antonio Aguayo stands accused of writing a series of menacing comments on the official Disney Instagram page on 12 July 2025. This was the precise day the Vice President's family, often referred to as the Second Family, were guests at the Disneyland Resort in Anaheim.
According to a federal complaint reviewed by The Independent, one comment warned: "Pipe bombs have been placed in preparation for J.D. Vance’s arrival." A second post added ominously, "It’s time for us to rise up and you will be a witness to it." A third message taunted law enforcement directly, stating: "Good luck finding all of them on time there will be bloodshed tonight and we will bathe in the blood of corrupt politicians."
The posts, which originated from an account under the handle "@jesses_andamy," were published at approximately 6:15 p.m. that evening. Federal agents swiftly traced the activity and visited Aguayo's home for questioning on the same day.
From Denial to Admission: "Just a Joke"
When first confronted, Aguayo reportedly denied authorship of the threatening Instagram posts and claimed his account had been compromised. However, his story quickly changed. The complaint details that he later confessed to writing the comments himself.
Aguayo told investigators that his intention was "merely as a joke to provoke attention and laughter." He allegedly stated that he had considered deleting the posts but ultimately forgot to do so. Despite this claimed humorous intent, the authorities have proceeded with a formal charge of making a threat against the president and successors to the presidency.
Political Backdrop of a Divisive Visit
The Vance family's trip to Disneyland last summer was not a quiet affair. It drew protests from hundreds of individuals, largely in response to a recent crackdown by immigration officials in California. These demonstrations escalated into violent clashes between authorities and protesters in Los Angeles and surrounding cities.
In the aftermath, Vice President Vance offered an apology, though its focus was narrow. Speaking on the Katie Miller Podcast in August, he expressed regret for the longer wait times experienced by other park visitors. "Sorry to all the people who were at Disneyland for the longer lines, but we had a very good time," Vance said, smiling and holding his hands up in mock defence. He described having "the island to ourselves" as "very cool" and declared his first visit to the park "awesome."
The Independent has reached out to the White House and the U.S. Secret Service for comment regarding the charges against Marco Antonio Aguayo. The case underscores the severe legal consequences of making threats against protected individuals, even when claimed to be in jest.
