A Minnesota man has been arrested for allegedly offering $45,000 for a “hit” on U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, the FBI announced in a press release.
On October 9, 2025, a TikTok user in Michigan flagged a disturbing post from an account under the username “Wacko,” which featured an anarchist symbol and displayed a “sniper-scope red dot” superimposed over the forehead of the nation’s top prosecutor.
The post included a mock wanted poster bearing Bondi’s image, with the text “WANTED: Pam Bondi / REWARD: 45,000 / DEAD OR ALIVE / (PREFERABLY DEAD),” and was captioned “cough cough when they don’t serve us then what?”
The uploader further claimed that they would be offering $45,000 to anyone who successfully carried out a “hit” on Bondi, prompting a swift federal investigation. A suspect identified as Tyler Maxon Avalos, a 29-year-old resident of St. Paul, Minnesota, was apprehended a week after the post went live on October 16, 2025, following verification of his identity through state supervision records tied to his address.
Maxon-Avalos has a lengthy criminal history, which includes a July 2022 felony stalking charge in Dakota County, Minnesota; an August 2016 felony third-degree domestic battery conviction in Polk County, Florida; and an April 2016 misdemeanor domestic assault charge in Dakota County, Minnesota. The latter charge was initially brought as felony domestic abuse in connection with a strangulation incident, though it was eventually reduced through a plea agreement.
His TikTok profile notably pinned a link to An Anarchist FAQ, underscoring potential ideological motivations and connections or admiration for Antifa-linked groups.
Avalos now faces federal charges under 18 U.S.C. § 875(c) for interstate transmission of a threat to injure another person, which carries a potential penalty of up to five years in prison. Following his arrest, U.S. Magistrate Judge Douglas Micko granted Avalos pretrial release subject to strict conditions, including restrictions on travel outside Minnesota, mandatory continuation of mental health treatment, prohibitions on possessing weapons or consuming alcohol, a nightly curfew, GPS monitoring, and limitations on internet access without prior approval.
The TikTok post allegedly made by Maxon-AvalosPhoto: FBI
The arrest follows an uptick in violent threats and assaults targeting federal agents and senior officials.
Earlier this month, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced that foreign drug cartels were offering hefty bounties on federal agents. In a new bulletin, DHS revealed that local gangs have been encouraged to kill the local heads of ICE or CBP. If they do, the shooter could net as much as $50,000 from the cartels who steer their activity.
Bonuses start at $2,000 for “gathering intelligence or doxxing agents” or their families, DHS announced on Tuesday.
“This surveillance has enabled ambushes and disruptions during routine enforcement actions, including recent raids under Operation Midway Blitz,” said DHS, explaining that non-lethal assaults on federal agents could lead to paydays between $5,000 and $10,000 for gang members.
“These criminal networks are not just resisting the rule of law, they are waging an organized campaign of terror against the brave men and women who protect our borders and communities,” Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said in a statement.
Abbott hailed the court’s decision to take up the matter, calling it a step toward holding what he described as “derelict Democrats” responsible. Initially, Abbott and Paxton sparred over which office held the authority to bring such lawsuits. But the attorney general has since aligned himself with the governor, declaring that both are working in tandem to ensure accountability.
The Democrats’ exodus began on August 3, a direct attempt to derail the redistricting plan, which had drawn vocal support from former President Donald Trump. The proposed map is widely viewed as a calculated effort to cement Republican control by expanding their narrow U.S. House majority ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. For Democrats, breaking quorum was the only procedural weapon available to delay or block the measure.
Wu’s attorneys contend that his actions were lawful and in line with the will of his constituents. They argue that leaving the state does not amount to resignation and cannot legally be treated as grounds for removal, which under Texas law requires a two-thirds vote of the House itself.
The case places the Texas Supreme Court, composed entirely of Republicans, under intense political scrutiny. Most of the sitting justices were appointed by Abbott, including two who previously served as his legal advisers—a fact likely to amplify questions about impartiality as the court considers whether Democrats can be punished for their walkout.