The Minocqua Brewing Company owner says he needs 2,000 signatures by 1 June and warned Wisconsin Democrats he could win the primary if blocked from speaking at their June convention.
Bangstad says his run followed scrutiny over a Facebook post offering “free beer” if Donald Trump were assassinated, which prompted a voluntary interview by the FBI and Secret Service.
He calls the post satire and says the controversy boosted fundraising and name recognition, while Republicans cite it as evidence of dangerous political rhetoric and some Democrats condemn violence without naming him.
How do federal agents distinguish between protected online satire and a prosecutable threat against a public official?