Three University of South Alabama students were arrested Friday over alleged threats against President Donald Trump before his evening rally on the Mobile campus, according to a source familiar with the matter who spoke with Fox News.

Each student was charged with threatening the president over social media posts allegedly published in the days before Trump’s visit, the Lagniappe Daily reported. The federal cases were unsealed Friday afternoon, only hours before Trump was scheduled to appear at the university’s Mitchell Center.

Federal investigators found the posts while conducting social media intelligence searches ahead of the president’s visit, according to FBI affidavits cited by Lagniappe. Investigators then used emergency disclosure requests and information from University of South Alabama police to identify the individuals.

One student allegedly posted a threatening remark aimed at Trump beneath a TikTok post concerning the president’s planned campus visit. The allegation appeared in an FBI affidavit cited by the outlet.

Another student allegedly wrote on X that people would “remember the University of South Alabama the same way they remember Utah Valley University,” according to the affidavit.

Investigators noted that Utah Valley University was the location where conservative activist Charlie Kirk was fatally shot last year. The alleged post brought that deadly episode into the discussion surrounding Trump’s scheduled appearance.

A third student allegedly responded to a TikTok post about Trump’s appearance.

Mobile County Sheriff Paul Burch said earlier in the week that his office was helping federal authorities as they monitored social media activity connected to the president’s upcoming appearance.

The University of South Alabama said before the event that the rally was not sponsored by the university. The Mitchell Center had been rented by the Republican National Committee, according to the university.

“The University of South Alabama unequivocally condemns any form of threats directed at elected officials or any individual with whom we disagree,” the university said in a statement to Fox News Digital. “We encourage open dialogue and active civic participation, and having a difference of opinion is a natural part of any vibrant community.

“However, there is a clear line between exercising free expression and engaging in intimidation or unlawful conduct.”

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Despite the arrests and the federal cases being unsealed shortly before the event, Trump took the stage for the midterm campaign rally Friday evening as scheduled. His appearance marked a return to Mobile roughly 11 years after his 2015 rally in the city.

That earlier rally occurred during the opening months of Trump’s first presidential campaign. Addressing the crowd Friday, Trump recalled that appearance and said, “It sort of all began here.”

Trump also recognized Burch from the stage during the rally. He additionally recognized University of South Alabama President Jo Bonner.

The arrests came as federal authorities and local law enforcement were monitoring social media surrounding Trump’s visit. The three students now face federal charges stemming from their alleged online posts in the days leading up to the rally.

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