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A New York man previously pardoned for his involvement in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot is facing new legal troubles. Christopher Moynihan, 34, was arrested and charged with making a terroristic threat after allegedly sending text messages threatening to kill House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The threats were reportedly made earlier this month as Jeffries prepared to speak in New York City.
According to NPR, Moynihan's arrest followed an FBI tip about his alleged plans to "eliminate" Jeffries. The criminal complaint revealed text messages in which Moynihan wrote, "I will kill him for the future" and "Hakeem Jeffries makes a speech in a few days in NYC I cannot allow this terrorist to live."
Moynihan was arraigned in Clinton, New York, and is currently held at the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center on a $10,000 cash bail, with additional bond options. He is scheduled to appear in court on Thursday.
Moynihan was previously sentenced to 21 months in prison for his role in the Capitol riot, where he was among the first to enter the Capitol grounds and encouraged others during the chaos. He received a full pardon from President Donald Trump earlier this year, along with over 1,500 others involved in the riot.
The New York State Police and the FBI conducted a thorough investigation before Moynihan's arrest. In response to the incident, Jeffries stated that the blanket pardon has led to further criminal activities by those released, putting a strain on law enforcement resources.
Threats against lawmakers have been on the rise, with the Capitol Police estimating around 14,000 threat assessment cases by the end of the year. The case against Moynihan highlights ongoing concerns about violence and threats against public officials in the current political climate.
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