Investigators were working to understand if an undocumented migrant, Ramon Morales-Reyes, had been set up by letters threatening President Donald Trump’s life several days before Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem publicized the claim that has turned Morales-Reyes’ life upside down. According to Milwaukee Police Department records obtained by CNN, investigators had spoken with Morales-Reyes on May 22 – the day he was arrested – about the potential of someone trying to get him deported. Police began investigating jailhouse phone calls from an individual who allegedly attacked Morales-Reyes. Noem tweeted out her accusation that Morales-Reyes threatened Trump on May 28. Morales-Reyes was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents after they received one letter purportedly from Morales-Reyes threatening Trump, according to the police records. The records say that Morales-Reyes gave ICE officers a handwritten note when he was arrested with his family information. Local investigators compared that note to the letter threatening Trump, and found they didn’t match. “This note depicted completely different handwriting than what is on the letters and envelopes,” the police records say. Shortly after his arrest, a local police investigator asked Morales-Reyes whether he knew of anyone who would want to have him deported. He said he only knew of one person who he had an issue with: the man who allegedly assaulted him in 2023, the records state. On Monday, the Milwaukee police began looking into calls made by that person from prison, where he is being held pending a trial in the case. Then, on Wednesday, Noem claimed on social media that Morales-Reyes sent a letter threatening to kill Trump, all while investigators already believed he had been set up. Despite this, the letter, alongside pictures of Morales-Reyes, were plastered over social media by Noem, DHS and several news outlets. Attorneys and local organizers held a news conference Friday in Milwaukee to call on DHS to issue a correction, adding that the family of the migrant has received threats in wake of the report. “This false claim has now had the consequence that the family feels that their lives are being threatened,” Christine Neumann-Ortiz, executive director of Voces de la Frontera – an organization that assists undocumented immigrants – said Friday. “They want his name cleared,” Neumann-Ortiz said, adding that Morales-Reyes’ daughter has told the organization her father cannot speak or write in English and only became of aware of the allegations against him after seeing social media posts. “He’s a very humble person. Soft spoken,” Morales-Reyes’ attorney Kime Abduli said, adding that he washes dishes for a living and is a hard worker who is focused on supporting several children. “That’s really been his motive in being here” in the US. DHS has not responded to CNN’s questions Friday about the police records or the request from Morales-Reyes’ attorneys to change the social media posts. On Thursday, in a statement to CNN, a senior DHS official said the investigation “into the threat is ongoing.” “Over the course of the investigation, this individual was determined to be in the country illegally and that he had a criminal record. He will remain in custody,” the official said. Jailhouse phone calls Prison calls pulled by investigators and detailed in the police records – a process that started on Monday – show how another person, accused of attacking Morales-Reyes, discussed sending letters to government offices, including ICE, and wanted to have him deported prior to the case going to trial in July, preventing Morales-Reyes from ever testifying against him. The person allegedly cut Morales-Reyes with a box cutter before robbing him of his bike in September 2023 and while the case is set to go to trial, it is unclear now if Morales-Reyes will be able to testify or will be deported from the country beforehand. The calls obtained by investigators allegedly detail how the person had others search for government addresses, including the ICE office where the letter was received, and had them mail letters. “With my armed robbery case, he’s an illegal immigrant. Soon as ICE makes contact with him, he’s getting deported,” the individual allegedly said on a May 3 call transcribed by police. In a call in early April, the person said that because Trump is now in office it would be easy to have Reyes – whom he described as an “illegal immigrant” who didn’t “know a lick of English” – deported. “He outta there,” the person said in a phone call on May 1, according to police records. “Once he have a run in with any ICE law enforcement. When he came to court he was scared to testify but even if you an illegal immigrant you can still testify but Trump wasn’t in office but now Trump came in office, they deported any motherf**ker. They going into court houses, all that.” On other calls, the person allegedly asked for the local ICE office’s phone number and tried to have someone set up a three-way call with the office. (That effort was unsuccessful.) The person also allegedly asked for the address for the ICE office and Attorney General Pam Bondi. “I sent a big manila envelope to mama’s house. It either got there yesterday or – so, um, it’s either gonna be there tomorrow or it already got there,” the person allegedly said on a phone call in April. “It’s two letters in there that’s already written up, I just need you to put them in the mailbox for me. I just need them to be mailed out from the street and not from here.” On a phone call the following day, the person said he would call back using another inmate’s pin “because the DA be listening to my calls,” the alleged assailant said. “I got a plan,” he said, according to the records. “I got a hell of a plan.” CNN has reached out to the attorney who represents the man that allegedly attacked Morales-Reyes. As of Friday, there have been no additional charges against the man. The Milwaukee Police Department told CNN it is investigating an identity theft and victim intimidation incident related to the case. Jeffrey J. Altenburg, chief deputy district attorney for the Milwaukee district attorney’s office, said in an email Thursday the matter is under investigation. ‘A chilling effect’ Morales-Reyes is scheduled for a June 4 hearing in front of an immigration judge, his immigration attorney, Cain Oulahan, told CNN. He had applied for a visa meant to protect undocumented migrants who were victims in a crime, allowing them to remain in the US while they are cooperating with authorities, the attorney said. Those visas, however, take years to get approved and the government only allows a limited number. “It’s really sort of up in the air whether he’s going to be released or not,” Oulahan said. “If he had a removal order, he would not be going to court,” Oulahan added. “The government is not alleging that he was deported previously.” Oulahan said that Morales-Reyes’ status in the US “doesn’t change the fact that he is a victim” of a violent crime. “The District Attorney has certified that he was a victim and is cooperating,” Oulahan said of the DA in Milwaukee, adding that there is a strong desire to clear Morales-Reyes’s name from what appears “to be completely false and fraudulent accusation against him.” The arrest and subsequent publicity in this case, the attorney said, could end up harming undocumented migrants who are crime victims. “It’s going to have a chilling effect if people are not willing to come forward,” Oulahan said.
Police were investigating if migrant was set up for threatening Trump well ahead of Noem’s tweet
TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:
"Investigation Underway into Allegations Against Undocumented Migrant Accused of Threatening Trump"
CNN
7.1
TruthLens AI Summary
Investigators are currently examining the circumstances surrounding the case of Ramon Morales-Reyes, an undocumented migrant who was arrested following allegations that he sent letters threatening President Donald Trump. The timeline of events indicates that Morales-Reyes was questioned by Milwaukee police shortly before his arrest on May 22, where he expressed concerns about someone potentially seeking to have him deported. It was only after Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem publicly accused Morales-Reyes of making the threats on May 28 that his situation escalated dramatically. Police records indicate that the handwritten note Morales-Reyes provided to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) did not match the threatening letters, suggesting he may have been framed. Local authorities are now investigating calls from an individual who allegedly assaulted Morales-Reyes, as this person reportedly discussed plans to have him deported prior to the trial for the assault case set for July. This raises questions about the motivations behind the threats and whether Morales-Reyes was indeed a target of a setup.
The fallout from Noem's tweet has been significant, as Morales-Reyes and his family have reportedly received threats since the allegations surfaced. Advocates and attorneys have called for corrections from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) regarding the misinformation, emphasizing that Morales-Reyes is a victim rather than a perpetrator. His attorney described him as a humble worker focused on supporting his children, and highlighted the alarming implications of the case on the willingness of undocumented migrants to report crimes. Morales-Reyes is awaiting a hearing scheduled for June 4, where his eligibility for a visa designed to protect crime victims will be discussed. However, the lengthy approval process for such visas complicates his situation. Legal experts warn that the publicity surrounding this case could discourage other undocumented individuals from coming forward as victims of crime, fearing deportation instead of receiving protection and support from authorities.
TruthLens AI Analysis
The article sheds light on the investigation surrounding Ramon Morales-Reyes, an undocumented migrant accused of threatening former President Donald Trump. The circumstances leading to his arrest and the subsequent claims made by Kristi Noem, the Secretary of Homeland Security, raise questions about the potential manipulation of the narrative.
Motivation Behind the Article
There appears to be a motive to scrutinize the actions of public officials, especially in the context of their handling of immigration issues and the treatment of vulnerable individuals. By highlighting the discrepancies in the investigation and the timeline of events leading to Morales-Reyes' arrest, the article seeks to reveal potential political maneuvering. This suggests an underlying aim to question the integrity of Noem's claims and the implications of such accusations on the migrant community.
Public Perception and Narrative
The narrative cultivated by the article aims to evoke skepticism towards the official claims made by Noem and government agencies. By emphasizing the investigation's findings—that the letters threatening Trump did not match Morales-Reyes' handwriting—it attempts to foster doubt about the legitimacy of the accusations. This could lead to a broader conversation about the treatment of migrants and the political exploitation of their situations.
Concealed Information
The article hints at possible concealment of information regarding the motivations behind the threats against Trump. The investigation into Morales-Reyes' past conflicts, particularly with an individual in prison, raises questions about whether there is an external agenda at play, potentially diverting attention from more significant systemic issues regarding immigration and safety.
Manipulative Elements of the Article
The article shows signs of manipulation, particularly in how it frames the involvement of Noem and the timing of her accusations. By outlining the discrepancies in the handwriting analysis and the investigation timeline, it suggests that the claims may have been exaggerated for political gain. This creates a narrative that could polarize public opinion against certain political figures.
Reliability of the Information
The reliability of the article hinges on the veracity of the police records and the ongoing investigation. While the article presents compelling evidence regarding the handwriting discrepancies and the context of Morales-Reyes' arrest, it is essential to consider the potential biases of the sources involved, including media outlets and political figures. The information can be deemed moderately reliable, but further developments in the investigation will be crucial for a complete understanding.
Implications for Society and Politics
The article has the potential to impact public discourse surrounding immigration policy and the treatment of undocumented migrants. If the narrative gains traction, it may lead to increased scrutiny of political figures who leverage immigration issues for their agendas. This could also influence voter sentiment and shape future political campaigns.
Target Audience
The article likely resonates more with communities concerned about immigration rights and those skeptical of political narratives surrounding national security. It appeals to individuals who advocate for fair treatment of migrants and those wary of government overreach.
Impact on Markets
While the immediate impact on stock markets may be minimal, the article could influence sectors related to immigration policy and social justice. Companies involved in immigration services or advocacy may see shifts in public perception based on the ongoing narrative.
Global Context
The article touches on broader themes of immigration and political manipulation, which are relevant in various global contexts. The dynamics of power and the treatment of vulnerable populations remain pressing issues worldwide.
Artificial Intelligence Involvement
It is possible that AI tools were used in the analysis of police records or in shaping the narrative of the article. However, the specific influences of AI on the writing style or direction of the article are not explicitly clear. If AI were involved, it might have aided in identifying key details or structuring the information for clarity.
In conclusion, this article presents a nuanced perspective on the investigation involving Morales-Reyes and the accusations made by Noem. The implications for public discourse and political accountability are significant, warranting close attention as the situation evolves.