Teenage Trump supporter accused of threatening Harris supporters with a machete at a polling place

An 18-year-old Donald Trump supporter is facing felony charges after police say he threatened two Kamala Harris supporters with a 60-centimeter machete as they canvassed outside an early voting site in Florida.

Neptune Beach police records show Caleb James Williams is charged with aggravated assault on a person 65 years of age or older and a misdemeanor count of displaying a dangerous weapon.

Police Chief Michael Key Jr. said Williams and seven 16- and 17-year-olds went to a library in suburban Jacksonville on Tuesday afternoon specifically “to protest and antagonize the opposing political side.” Carrying Trump flags, they began shouting at the group. Harris supporters and this situation escalated.

Key showed a photo taken by a witness showing a smiling Williams “swinging a machete above his head in an aggressive, threatening stance.” The supporters of Harris, whom he allegedly threatened, are women aged 71 and 54.

“This goes far beyond expressing free speech. Saying that your piece is your protected right under the First Amendment, but that disappears the moment you raise the machete above your head,” Key said. Neptune Beach is an upscale suburb of 7,000 residents and a median income of $110,000, according to census data.

Williams, a busboy at the restaurant, was being held Wednesday afternoon in the Duval County Jail on $55,000 bail after his initial court appearance. In the case of the registered Republican’s release, a judge ordered him to stay 1,000 feet from the polling place except to cast his own ballot and wear an ankle monitor. The Duval public defender’s office, which was appointed to represent him, did not immediately respond to a phone call and email seeking comment. The father also did not respond to messages left on his mobile phone. The minimum penalty for aggravated assault on a senior citizen in Florida is three years in prison. The maximum number is 15.

Key said the seven juveniles with Williams have not committed any crimes, but the investigation is ongoing.

Duval County Democratic Party Chairman Daniel Henry said Williams committed a “disturbing act of intimidation.”