Spokane Man Arrested for Threats Against Mar-a-Lago and Florida Retirement Community

Robert Martindale, a 74-year-old man from Spokane, Washington, was taken into custody after making multiple threatening calls against President Donald Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort and a Florida retirement community known as The Villages. The threats came shortly after Trump’s visit to The Villages last week, raising alarms among local and federal authorities.

According to court documents obtained by KXLY, Martindale told a receptionist at The Villages that “me and my friends are getting our semi-automatics and are coming to blow you guys up, because of that scumbag Trump.” He also expressed anger over Trump’s pardoning of criminals who attack police officers.

The Sumter County Sheriff’s Office in Florida flagged the threatening calls and traced them back to Martindale’s phone number in Spokane. Both local law enforcement and the Secret Service coordinated to have Spokane police contact Martindale. When questioned, he admitted to making the calls but claimed they were “not a threat, but a warning.”

Martindale appeared in court Monday for his initial hearing and remains held at Spokane County Jail with bond set at $10,000. His defense attorney noted Martindale has no prior criminal record. He is scheduled for arraignment later this week.

This case underscores the heightened tensions and volatility surrounding Trump’s public events, where rhetoric often escalates into threats of violence. The involvement of both local and federal agencies signals the seriousness with which such threats are treated, especially when they target the former president and his private properties.

At Only Clowns Are Orange, we continue to track the fallout from Trump’s presidency, including the dangerous climate it fosters among supporters and opponents alike. This incident is a stark reminder that the toxic political environment is not just about words but can quickly spiral into threats and potential violence.