Inset: Anthony Kelly (Homeland Security). Background: Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem speaks during a news conference at the Nashville International Airport, Thursday, July 17, 2025, in Nashville, Tennessee (AP Photo/George Walker IV).
Federal authorities arrested an Ohio man who they say threatened to kill Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents he called “Gestapedos,” an apparent blending of the words Gestapo and pedophiles.
Tricia McLaughlin, assistant secretary for public affairs at DHS, posted Saturday on X (formerly Twitter) about the arrest of Anthony Kelly, of Cincinnati, who stands accused of threatening to assault, kidnap, and murder a United States official.
Homeland Security agents searched Kelly”s home after his arrest and found a handgun and ammunition, McLaughlin said.
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The DHS official posted screenshots of Kelly’s alleged posts on BlueSky. In one post, Kelly responded to a tweet to a Fox News interview with Border Czar Tom Homan that federal immigration agents can detain people based on “their physical appearance,” which he said was taken out of context.
“Thanks for giving We The People permission to shoot your #Gestapedos #TomHoman,” Kelly allegedly wrote.
ARRESTED: Anthony Kelly out of Cincinnati, OH has been taken into federal custody for making terroristic threats against ICE agents.
Kelly will face federal charges for threatening to assault, kidnap, and murder a United States official.
During the search, HSI Cincinnati… pic.twitter.com/Xuz5y1g152
— Tricia McLaughlin (@TriciaOhio) July 19, 2025
In another, Kelly took aim at Noem who said she wanted to open more facilities to house undocumented immigrants like the so-called “Alligator Alcatraz” in Florida.
“The shotgun is being bought later on this week #KristiNoem … how many of your pathetic #Gestapedos want the smoke? You’re also invited b—.”
Kelly allegedly responded to another message about Homeland Security obtaining Medicaid enrollee data.
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“A message to the #Gestapedos,” Kelly allegedly said. “You come for me, you’re getting shot. And I’m not looking to disable your pedo asses. I’m shooting for the kill. I don’t give a f— about your names, who you are, or anything else. You will be shot. You will be killed. End of story.”
McLaughlin wrote that these types of threats “will not be tolerated.”
“You will be arrested and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” she said.
