2 Kansas Men Charged for Threatening to Kill House Lawmaker and ICE Agents

Authorities say the men made threats on social media against a Minnesota congresswoman and federal law enforcement officers.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 8:23pm

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A federal grand jury has charged two Kansas men in unrelated cases for threatening the lives of public officials. Adam Lee Osborn, 60, of Wichita, was indicted after authorities say he threatened on social media to murder U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota. Joaquin Hernandez, 23, also of Wichita, was indicted after authorities said he posted a video on social media threatening to assault and murder federal law enforcement agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Why it matters

Threats of political violence against elected officials and law enforcement are considered serious crimes that can undermine the democratic process and public safety. The charges against these two men highlight the ongoing challenge of combating extremism and political threats in the digital age.

The details

Osborn was charged with one count of interstate communications with a threat to injure and one count of influencing, impeding and retaliating against a federal official by threatening. Hernandez was charged with one count of interstate communications with threat to injure and one count of retaliating against a federal official by threatening. The Wichita Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation investigated both cases.

  • The federal grand jury charged the two men on January 30, 2026.

The players

Adam Lee Osborn

A 60-year-old man from Wichita, Kansas who was indicted for threatening to murder U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar of Minnesota on social media.

Joaquin Hernandez

A 23-year-old man from Wichita, Kansas who was indicted for posting a video on social media threatening to assault and murder federal law enforcement agents with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement.

Ilhan Omar

A U.S. Representative from Minnesota who was the target of a threat made by Adam Lee Osborn.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE)

The federal law enforcement agency that Joaquin Hernandez threatened in a social media video.

Ryan Kriegshauser

The U.S. Attorney who stated that threats of political violence will not be tolerated.

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What they’re saying

“Threats of political violence will not be tolerated. In a democracy, we settle our differences at the ballot box after robust public debate. For our system of government to work, it's vital that certain lines are not crossed when it comes to self-expression. Threats of political violence destabilize the very core of our system of governance.”

— Ryan Kriegshauser, U.S. Attorney

What’s next

The two men will face federal charges and potential prison time for their alleged threats against elected officials and law enforcement.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing challenge of combating extremism and political threats in the digital age, and the importance of maintaining civil discourse and the rule of law in a democracy.