Christopher Moynihan, 34, who was among the individuals at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021, and was later pardoned, has been arrested for allegedly threatening to kill House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. He is charged with making a terroristic threat, a Class D felony. This information was reported by ABC7NY, which covered the incident involving the Dutchess County resident.
Moynihan, who was sentenced to 21 months in prison for his role in the Capitol riot and later pardoned, is alleged to have continued making threats after his release. The Guardian, citing the complaint, reports that Moynihan is accused of sending text messages stating, "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 says those messages caused the recipient to fear an imminent attempt on the congressman’s life.
Law enforcement responded to the threat against Rep. Jeffries, who represents New York’s eighth congressional district. According to the allegations, Moynihan planned to carry out his threats at a New York City event where Jeffries was scheduled to speak. He is being held on $10,000 cash bail, a $30,000 bond, or an $80,000 partially secured bond, as reported by ABC7NY, and is scheduled to appear in court at a later date.
Jeffries expressed gratitude to state and federal law enforcement for their response. According to a statement he released on social media and reported by The Guardian, he acknowledged their swift action in apprehending an individual who made a credible death threat against him. Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington reported that at least 10 pardoned Capitol attackers have been re-arrested for other crimes, noting a pattern that Jeffries referenced as increasing the demands on law enforcement.
The Guardian reported details about Moynihan’s past, including his involvement in the Capitol riot and previous convictions. He was one of the individuals who entered the Capitol Building during the disruption of the congressional certification of Joe Biden’s presidential election win.
