A man who was pardoned by former President Donald Trump after participating in the January 6 Capitol riot has been arrested for allegedly threatening to kill House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York. Christopher Moynihan, 34, was taken into custody over the weekend following a text message he sent, expressing his intent to "eliminate" Jeffries during an event in New York City.
The incident occurred just before Jeffries was scheduled to speak at the Economic Club of New York. Moynihan, who lives in Clinton, New York, reportedly wrote that he could not allow Jeffries, whom he referred to as a "terrorist," to live. He added that he would kill him “for the future,” according to court documents.
Moynihan’s arrest was carried out by the New York State Police with the assistance of an FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. He is now facing charges of making a terroristic threat, which is a felony. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday and will remain in jail unless he posts bail set at $10,000 in cash, $30,000 in bond, or $80,000 in partially secured bond.
This situation arises amid a politically charged atmosphere, as Jeffries is engaged in contentious discussions with Republicans over a potential government shutdown. Recently, he criticized White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt for her comments suggesting that the Democratic Party is aligned with “Hamas terrorists, illegal aliens, and violent criminals.”
Moynihan was among over 1,500 individuals who received pardons from Trump shortly after he took office in January. He was photographed on the Senate floor during the Capitol riot and later pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor charges, receiving a 21-month prison sentence in February 2023.
The pardoning of January 6 defendants has faced backlash from Democrats, who highlight cases where pardoned individuals have been involved in further criminal activities. This includes a man from Indiana who was shot and killed during a traffic stop shortly after receiving a pardon. Another individual was arrested for breaking into a home in Virginia after his pardon.
Moynihan’s case serves as a reminder of the ongoing tensions and divisions in American politics, particularly surrounding the events of January 6 and its aftermath.
