Eric Henderson/Reuters
Secret Service agents reportedly interviewed Tom Arnold about his anti-Trump tweets, telling the actor his words could potentially incite violence. After Arnold reportedly challenged Trump to a “body slam” contest and referenced a photo of Kathy Griffin holding a fake bloody Trump head on Twitter, two Secret Service agents showed up to his home last month. According to a video of the encounter obtained by Mother Jones, the two agents asked Arnold a slew of questions, including inquiring about his gun and explosive-making experience and whether he had an “impulse” to physically hurt the president. Arnold reportedly denied ever wanting to harm the president. The agents also stressed the possibility of one of his followers actually carrying out the type of violence he joked about on Twitter. “We always are more concerned about who you could motivate or incite to that action,” another agent said.
Arnold told the agents he would “stay away” from statements that could be misinterpreted, and the agents can reportedly be seen leaving his home after interviewing his wife. “I heard your message loud and clear. Words matter. Tone matters. Words can incite violence,” Arnold wrote in a Monday statement. “I’m sorry Donald Trump hasn’t listened to you all the times you’ve had this exact conversation with him.”