Pardoned January 6 rioter arrested for threatening to kill New York Representative Hakeem Jeffries.
A man previously pardoned by former President Donald Trump for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riots has been arrested for allegedly threatening the life of New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries. Christopher Moynihan, 34, was taken into custody in Clinton, New York, on Sunday after making what authorities described as credible threats against the House Minority Leader.
New York State police reported that Moynihan was charged with making a terroristic threat and subsequently held on a ,000 bail following his arraignment in Clinton court. During this court appearance, it was disclosed that Moynihan had threatened to kill Jeffries, specifically planning to carry out the act at an event in Manhattan.
Prosecutors indicated that Moynihan had sent a series of text messages outlining his intention to “eliminate” Jeffries, who was scheduled to speak at an Economic Club event in Midtown on Monday. In his messages, Moynihan expressed strong sentiments against Jeffries, stating, “Hakeem Jeffries makes a speech in a few days in NYC; I cannot allow this terrorist to live.” He further remarked, “Even if I am hated, he must be eliminated; I will kill him for the future.”
The incident raises concerns over political violence and threats against public officials, underscoring the lingering tensions in the political climate. Moynihan was one of the individuals who breached police barricades and entered the Capitol building on January 6, 2021. He ultimately faced legal repercussions for his actions, being found guilty in August 2022 on charges of obstruction of an official proceeding and multiple misdemeanors, leading to a sentence of 21 months in prison.
However, in a controversial decision, Moynihan was pardoned by Trump, who issued clemency to him and approximately 1,500 other individuals linked to the events of that day shortly after reclaiming the presidency in January.
The arrest of Moynihan has prompted discussions about the potential consequences of incendiary rhetoric in contemporary political discourse, as well as the safety of elected officials amid a charged political environment. Authorities are taking these threats seriously, underscoring the broader implications for political dialogue in the United States. Media News Source will continue to follow this story as it develops.
