A man previously pardoned by former President Donald Trump after being convicted for participating in the U.S. Capitol breach has been arrested for allegedly threatening to kill U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Christopher P. Moynihan is facing a felony charge for making a terroristic threat. According to a state police report, Moynihan sent a text message indicating his intention to harm Jeffries, stating that he “cannot allow this terrorist to live” and that Jeffries “must be eliminated.” He further mentioned, “I will kill him for the future.”
Moynihan, a resident of Clinton, N.Y., was one of the individuals who stormed the Capitol on January 6, 2021, and was subsequently sentenced to 21 months in prison. However, he was among the many Capitol rioters who received pardons from Trump on his return to office. Efforts to reach Moynihan and his family for comments on the recent arrest were unsuccessful.
In response to the threat, Jeffries expressed gratitude to the investigators for swiftly apprehending the individual who posed a credible danger to him. He criticized the need for law enforcement to divert resources to handle individuals who had been previously pardoned but continued to engage in violent behavior. House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned the threat, emphasizing that violence should not be tolerated, and individuals responsible should face legal consequences.
The New York State Police were alerted to the threat by an FBI task force, leading to Moynihan’s arraignment in a local court in Dutchess County. The Dutchess County District Attorney confirmed that his office is assessing the case for legal validity. Parisi stated that threats against public officials and citizens will not be condoned.
Moynihan’s involvement in the January 6 attack included breaching police barricades, entering the Capitol through the Rotunda Door, and disrupting the Senate chamber activities. He was convicted by U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper for obstructing the joint session of Congress certifying Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election over Trump. Moynihan also pleaded guilty to five other charges related to the riot.
