Watch CBS News

Cybersecurity Firm CEO Resigns Following Social Media Posts Threatening To 'Kill' Trump

SAN DIEGO (CBS) -- The chief executive officer of a cybersecurity firm in San Diego has resigned after threatening on social media that he was going to assassinate President-elect Donald Trump.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reports Matt Harrigan, the former CEO of PacketSled, a company he founded in 2013, wrote the comments on Facebook on Election Night.

"I'm going to kill the president. Elect," Harrigan said in one post that went viral on Reddit.

Another read, "Nope, getting a sniper rifle and perching myself where it counts. Find a bedroom in the whitehouse that suits you motherf*****. I'll find you."

The company said in a statement they reported Harrigan's comments to the Secret Service and that they accepted his resignation.

"We want to be very clear, PacketSled does not condone the comments made by Mr. Harrigan, which do not reflect the views or opinions of the company, its employees, investors or partners," the company said.

Harrigan tweeted that the Facebook posts were meant as a joke.

"My humble apologies that a flawed joke has become public/out of context. My poor judgement does not represent the views of (at)PacketSled, customers, investors or the officers of (at)PacketSled. I have no malicious intention towards the (hashtag)POTUS, and apologize to all for my lack of judgement and offensive commentary. I wish you all well," Harrigan said in a series of tweets.

The Secret Service told the Union-Tribune they are aware of Harrigan's comments.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.