William Upham Filmed Himself in Marine Fatigues Calling Trump a “False Messiah” Who “Must Be Killed”

Federal agents say he filmed the threats himself, in uniform, framing the killing as a holy war he’d wage on God’s orders. A judge has ordered him held. If convicted, he’s looking at up to 5 years.

William Upham, 35, was a qualified Republican write-in candidate for a U.S. House seat in Florida’s 5th District when he was arrested July 16. He filed his candidacy April 28, qualified June 9 for the November 3 general election, and his candidacy is still active in the state’s election database.

The Secret Service opened its investigation after two reports came in July 14 about posts tied to the “uphamforcongress” Instagram account. One came from an anonymous caller. The other came through the Department of Veterans Affairs and described a veteran posting videos in uniform, calling Trump the “Antichrist” while discussing weapons and combat tactics.

In one video, agents say Upham made a “call to arms,” urged viewers to overthrow the administration, endorsed a semiautomatic rifle, and walked through shooting and movement techniques tied to combat. He said God would protect those who acted.

In a second video, he invoked the oath he took as a commissioned Marine officer, then called Trump an enemy, a “false Messiah,” and said he “must be killed.”

The complaint says Upham answered a reporter’s emailed questions this way: “I made this video in uniform to declare war against President Trump on behalf of God. The uniform represents the Holy War between God and the Anti-Christ.” He allegedly added that he “will kill President Trump at the time that God chooses, not when I choose. Our county must overthrow President Trump by the violent use of force and kill him.” Investigators linked the email address to the one on Upham’s Florida Bar profile.

He entered the Marine Corps in June 2021, rose to first lieutenant, and served as a student judge advocate with no listed deployments or awards. His last assignment was Wounded Warrior Battalion West at Camp Pendleton, and the Marine Corps confirmed he received a medical discharge May 30, 2025, condemning his statements as contrary to the service’s values. Records show he bought two guns from a Virginia pawnshop in June 2024.

On July 5, Jacksonville sheriff’s officers conducted a welfare check at his home. During the encounter, Upham allegedly said he was the Messiah and that God had ordered him to die.

He appeared in federal court in Jacksonville and a judge ordered him detained. He’s a former state prosecutor and is presumed innocent, as prosecutors have filed only a criminal complaint.

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