A Jan. 6 rioter who was pardoned by U.S. President Donald Trump has been charged with making terroristic threats after allegedly sending text messages that threatened to kill House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, according to a felony complaint filed in New York state court.
Christopher Moynihan, 34, is accused of sending the messages on Friday about an appearance Mr. Jeffries was scheduled to make in New York City. The complaint, filed in Clinton, quoted the texts:
"Hakeem Jeffries makes a speech in a few days in NYC I cannot allow this terrorist to live. ... Even if I am hated he must be eliminated. ... I will kill him for the future."
The complaint said the messages placed the recipient in “reasonable fear of the imminent murder and assassination of Hakeem Jeffries by the defendant.”
Background and reactions
Moynihan was previously sentenced in February 2023 to 21 months in prison on charges that included obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony, after being among nearly 1,590 people charged over the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol. President Trump pardoned nearly everyone criminally charged in the Jan 6 attack on his first day in office.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries thanked law enforcement for their work and criticized the pardons, saying many of those pardoned have since committed crimes.
“Unfortunately, our brave men and women in law enforcement are being forced to spend their time keeping our communities safe from these violent individuals who should never have been pardoned,” he said in a statement.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned the suspect’s actions. “Anybody who threatens to kill any political official we denounce it absolutely. We ought to have justice fall upon their head,” he said at the Capitol.
Charge and wider context
The charge against Moynihan, making a terroristic threat, is a Class D felony, the complaint states. Advocacy group Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington said at least ten other Jan. 6 rioters have been re-arrested, charged or sentenced for other crimes, ranging from child sexual abuse to plotting to murder FBI agents and reckless homicide while driving drunk. Moynihan appears to be the only pardoned rioter publicly known to face a charge involving a threat against an elected official since receiving a pardon.
The United States and interim authorities in Venezuela have agreed to re-establish diplomatic and consular relatio...
Lebanon's Hezbollah warned Israeli residents to evacuate towns within 5 km (3.11 miles) of the border ...
Emirates and Etihad Airways were resuming limited flight schedules to key global cities from their United Arab Emi...
Fighting between Iran, Israel and the United States has escalated across the Middle East, with missile, drone and air strikes reported in multiple ...
On Thursday (5 March) four drones were directed towards Azerbaijan's Nakhchivan region, according to the Ministry of Defence. Here is what we k...
Lebanon's Hezbollah warned Israeli residents to evacuate towns within 5 km (3.11 miles) of the border between the countries in a message posted on its Telegram channel in Hebrew early on Friday.
Fighting between Iran, Israel and the United States has escalated across the Middle East, with missile, drone and air strikes reported in multiple countries as tensions rise between regional and global powers. Military activity, security alerts and travel disruptions continue to unfold.
Tensions in the Middle East are continuing to escalate as Iran and U.S.-backed Israeli forces exchange strikes for a sixth consecutive day, with Tehran reporting mounting civilian casualties and warning it is prepared for a prolonged war.
In an exclusive interview with AnewZ, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the Islamic Republic is "not targeting neighbouring countries," amid reports of drone strikes on Nakhchivan International Airport on Thursday (5 March).
In an exclusive interview with AnewZ, Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi said the Islamic Republic is "not targeting neighbouring countries," amid reports of drone strikes on Nakhchivan International Airport on Thursday (5 March).
Trump tells Axios he wants direct involvement in who takes over as Iran's next leader, rejecting Khamenei's son as "unacceptable" and citing the need for a figure who can bring "peace and harmony".
A torpedo from a U.S. submarine sunk an Iranian warship off the coast of Sri Lanka, U.S. Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth told reporters as the Iranian conflcit entered its fifth day on Wednesday.
Türkiye has suspended day-trip crossings at its Kapıköy border and two others with Iran as regional tensions escalate following strikes involving the United States and Israel on Tehran. AnewZ's Alisultan Sultanzade was on the ground at the crossing before the restrictions came into force.
Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has told Pakistan’s Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif that Ankara is ready to help reinforce the ceasefire between Pakistan and Afghanistan, as clashes between the two neighbours continue for a sixth consecutive day.
The United States and interim authorities in Venezuela have agreed to re-establish diplomatic and consular relations, the U.S. State Department said on Thursday (5 February), aiming to foster a peaceful transition to elect a new government in the South American country.
China has outlined its main economic and policy priorities for the coming year in its annual government work report, a key document that sets out the country’s development plans.
A Russian drone damaged a civilian Panama-flagged vessel that was transporting corn near the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk in the Black Sea Odesa region, the Ukrainian Sea Ports Authority said late on Wednesday.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 5th of February, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Australia and Canada said on Thursday they had signed new agreements on critical minerals as Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney made a landmark address to the Australian parliament, a sign of the developing bond between the "middle powers".
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment