Man allegedly brandished sword during arrest tied to Trump threats, FBI says

Andrew Emerald of Great Barrington was arrested after allegedly making online threats against the president. He pleaded not guilty on Wednesday.

A Massachusetts man brandished a sword when federal agents tried to arrest him on Wednesday for allegedly making threats online against President Donald Trump, the FBI said.

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Andrew D. Emerald, of Great Barrington, held “a long, metallic sword in one hand” and a “sheath to that sword in the other hand” when officers showed up at his door. The man, who is in his 40s, told agents they would have to shoot him, according to an affidavit filed Wednesday.

Emerald was ultimately arrested with the help of an FBI crisis negotiator and a local police officer who got him to voluntarily leave his residence and surrender to authorities, the affidavit said, adding that the FBI seized multiple swords and bladed weapons from Emerald’s house following his arrest.