Christopher Moynihan, previously pardoned by former President Donald Trump for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol insurrection, found himself back in legal trouble. This time, Moynihan was arrested for allegedly threatening to kill Hakeem Jeffries, the prominent House Democrat, and House Minority Leader.
Authorities apprehended Moynihan on Sunday following his alarming text messages, where he detailed plans to “eliminate” Jeffries during the congressman’s upcoming speech in New York City. This information, initially reported by CBS News, was later confirmed through court documents.
In a particularly chilling message, Moynihan, 34, purportedly wrote, “Hakeem Jeffries makes a speech in a few days in NYC I cannot allow this terrorist to live,” according to a court submission from prosecutors. He allegedly continued, “Even if I am hated, he must be eliminated, I will kill him for the future,” indicating a grave intent to harm.
These threats were serious enough to instill genuine fear in the recipient of Moynihan’s texts, as noted in a criminal complaint filed on Sunday. The document highlighted that the messages were perceived as credible threats of imminent violence against Jeffries.
Despite the threats, Jeffries proceeded with his scheduled address at the Economic Club of New York on Monday, demonstrating resilience in the face of the unsettling situation. The incident underscores the ongoing security challenges faced by public officials in the current political climate.
Jeffries addressed the Economic Club of New York on Monday.
Moynihan is charged with making a terrorist threat to kill a congressman, a felony, and was arraigned on Tuesday. He pleaded not guilty.
According to a press release from the New York state government, state authorities in Poughkeepsie, along with FBI agents, arrested Moynihan after they received a tip on October 18 about the man’s sinister plans.
Christopher Moynihan, in white, a man pardoned by President Donald Trump for his role in the 2021 Capitol riot, has been charged with threatening to kill the top Democrat in the US House of Representatives
Moynihan allegedly texted that he had to ‘eliminate’ top House Democrat Hakeem Jeffries
Jeffries is the top Democrat in the House of Representatives and has served as a New York lawmaker since 2013
Moynihan is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday, October 23.
The J6er was previously sentenced to 21 months in prison for obstructing an official proceeding to certify the 2020 election results.
He broke into the Capitol building before later stumbling into the historic Senate chamber.
‘While in the Senate Chamber, Moynihan paged through a notebook on top of a Senator’s desk, taking out papers, and taking pictures with his cellphone. While looking through the papers, he said, “There’s gotta be something in here we can f—- use against these —-bags,”‘ the DOJ said in a 2023 announcement about Moynihan’s charges.
Trump pardoned Moynihan, along with roughly 1,600 people charged with crimes related to the January 6 riot earlier this year.
‘I am grateful to state and federal law enforcement for their swift and decisive action to apprehend a dangerous individual who made a credible death threat against me with every intention to carry it out,’ Jeffries said in a statement.
‘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,’ the Democrat’s statement continued.
Moynihan is not the first J6er pardoned by Trump to have been re-arrested.
Moynihan at the January 6 Capitol riot
Moynihan pictured next to the ‘QAnon shaman’ Jacob Chansley, pictured in the headdress
An analysis from Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington in June found that at least 10 January 6th defendants pardoned by Trump have been apprehended again.
Their crimes include plotting the murder of FBI agents, child sexual assault, possession of sexual abuse material and more, according to the watchdog.
