A US Secret Service agent visited a Nebraska woman, Jamie Bonkiewicz, at her home over concerns raised by one of her online posts about White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.
Bonkiewicz had posted on the platform X that she hoped Leavitt would receive what she believed was "televised justice" for what she perceived as hypocrisy in her role. The USSS confirmed to Newsweek that a special agent and local police were present during an interview, which Bonkiewicz shared in a video post.
Bonkiewicz expressed concerns about online threats and the need to address this issue. However, according to the Secret Service, they investigate any statement or action that could be perceived as a potential threat, regardless of whether it's explicit or implied.
Critics argue that such measures can be seen as an infringement on freedom of speech, with some cases even resulting in arrest for comments deemed potentially inciting violence. A case in point is the recent arrest of comedian Graham Linehan in the UK for making a comment that led to his detention.
Bonkiewicz's social media activity has also drawn attention due to her frequent posts about protests and her views on Leavitt. The Secret Service emphasized that their role is focused on protecting the President, Vice President, former presidents, their families, and government officials, without referencing specific sides or ideologies.
The incident highlights the complexities of balancing free speech with concerns for national security and public safety in the digital age.
Bonkiewicz had posted on the platform X that she hoped Leavitt would receive what she believed was "televised justice" for what she perceived as hypocrisy in her role. The USSS confirmed to Newsweek that a special agent and local police were present during an interview, which Bonkiewicz shared in a video post.
Bonkiewicz expressed concerns about online threats and the need to address this issue. However, according to the Secret Service, they investigate any statement or action that could be perceived as a potential threat, regardless of whether it's explicit or implied.
Critics argue that such measures can be seen as an infringement on freedom of speech, with some cases even resulting in arrest for comments deemed potentially inciting violence. A case in point is the recent arrest of comedian Graham Linehan in the UK for making a comment that led to his detention.
Bonkiewicz's social media activity has also drawn attention due to her frequent posts about protests and her views on Leavitt. The Secret Service emphasized that their role is focused on protecting the President, Vice President, former presidents, their families, and government officials, without referencing specific sides or ideologies.
The incident highlights the complexities of balancing free speech with concerns for national security and public safety in the digital age.
This is getting outta hand fam! I mean, what's next? The Secret Service showing up at your doorstep over a tweet that just might be misinterpreted? It's all about context, you know? Like, if someone says something they didn't mean to come across as threatening, it's not the end of the world. We should be able to have an online conversation without being watched like we're in some kind of virtual prison 
it's got this amazing Korean BBQ sauce that's out of this world! anyway, back to this story... I feel kinda bad for Jamie Bonkiewicz, she sounds like a passionate person who's just trying to express herself online. but at the same time, I get why the Secret Service would be concerned - we've all seen those crazy YouTube comments 
I mean, what's up with that?!
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. I mean, what's the threshold for "potential threat" anymore? Is that even a thing anymore? 
. Can't we just have a nuanced conversation about online etiquette without the authorities getting involved?
who gets visited by secret service agents over social media posts? i think it's a slippery slope when the government starts to police our online conversations, especially on platforms like X where we're already under scrutiny from tech giants. as for bonkiewicz, i feel her frustration about online threats and hypocrisy but also think she should've been more careful with her words 
She's just speaking her mind online about Karoline Leavitt and now she's getting visited by a Secret Service agent? 
What's next? Like, are they going to take away our phones or something? 
I'm all for free speech, but at the same time, I get why the government wants to keep an eye on people. It's just...like, how far does it go? 
Anyway, Graham Linehan being arrested over a comment is low-key concerning too... 
But Jamie's all good in my book - she's just trying to make a point! 
I'm rooting for her and I hope this whole thing blows over soon. Fingers crossed! 