A man recently pardoned for participating in the Capitol riot has been arrested for threatening to kill Hakeem Jeffries, a prominent Democratic leader. Christopher Moynihan, aged 34, was apprehended in Clinton, New York, by state police. He faces charges for making a terroristic threat against a member of Congress and has entered a plea of not guilty.
Details of the Threat Against Hakeem Jeffries
According to court documents, Moynihan allegedly intended to harm Jeffries during a speech scheduled for the upcoming week in New York City. He reportedly expressed his intentions in messages, stating, “I cannot allow this terrorist to live” and “Even if I am hated, [Jeffries] must be eliminated, I will kill him for the future.”
Response from Hakeem Jeffries
Hakeem Jeffries, who may become Speaker of the House if the Democrats gain control, thanked law enforcement for capturing a “dangerous individual.” He emphasized the burdens placed on police to safeguard communities from threats posed by individuals like Moynihan, who, according to him, should not have received pardons.
Moynihan’s Criminal History
Christopher Moynihan was sentenced to 21 months in prison in 2023 for breaching the Capitol on January 6, 2021. Prosecutors indicated he was among the first rioters to break police barriers and enter the building. Inside the Senate chamber, he was reported to have rifled through a senator’s notebook while documenting the scene with his phone to gather information against lawmakers.
Presidential Pardon and Subsequent Arrests
On his first day back in office, former President Donald Trump pardoned Moynihan along with over 1,000 others involved in the Capitol riot, calling them “hostages” whose lives were “destroyed.” Since then, several other pardoned rioters have faced new arrests for various offenses.
Concerns Over Political Violence
This incident occurs amid rising tensions and threats against public officials in the U.S. Earlier this year, a man in Minnesota was accused of killing a Democratic lawmaker and her husband. In another instance, a conservative activist was fatally shot in Utah.
Current Status of Christopher Moynihan
Moynihan is currently detained in Poughkeepsie, New York. His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday, where he will face the charges levied against him.
