Christopher Moynihan, a participant in the January 6 Capitol riot who received a presidential pardon from President Donald Trump, is now facing felony charges for allegedly threatening to kill House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. The charges come after Moynihan was found to have sent threatening text messages about an upcoming appearance by Jeffries, according to a felony complaint filed in New York state court.
Moynihan, 34, is accused of sending messages that reportedly stated: “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,” according to the complaint, dated Saturday. The recipient of the messages was not identified. The messages were allegedly sent on Friday, placing the recipient in reasonable fear of the imminent murder and assassination of Jeffries by the defendant, the complaint said.
Jeffries, who represents New York’s 8th congressional district, has been the top-ranking Democrat in the House since 2022. Moynihan was sentenced to 21 months in prison in February 2023 on charges including obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony. He was among nearly 1,590 people charged in the storming of the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump who opposed the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential election victory.
Moynihan was “fully pardoned by President Trump 1/20/25 for his role in the Capitol Riots,” an extreme risk protection order background report filed in Dutchess County on Saturday noted. Moynihan is due back in court on Thursday. Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi emphasized that threats made against elected officials and members of the public will not be tolerated.
“We will pursue every available investigative and prosecutorial tool to hold responsible parties accountable, protect potential victims, and deter future violence,” Parisi stated. Fox News’ Ryan Schmelz, Fox News Digital’s Louis Casiano, and Reuters contributed to this report.