The Bloomingtonian in Indiana wonders out loud about why the alleged threats are secret, and whether Texas police initiating an arrest in Indiana for Tweets that nobody can see may be politically motivated.

Authorities did not release details about the alleged threats, and it remains unclear what statements led to Cherry’s arrest. The case comes amid ongoing debates over free speech on X, a platform owned by Musk, who has positioned himself as a strong advocate for open discourse.

This brings up questions that are not answered in the ISP press release. Were Cherry’s statements merely inflammatory speech without a direct or imminent threat? In that case, some might argue that his prosecution is politically motivated—especially given Musk’s vocal stance on free speech. Whether Cherry will be considered a political prisoner depends on whether the legal process is seen as fair or an example of selective enforcement against speech that challenges powerful figures.