Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Christopher Moynihan Threatens to Assassinate House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries
Key Takeaways
- Christopher Moynihan, pardoned for Jan. 6 Capitol riot, was arrested for threatening Hakeem Jeffries.
- Moynihan sent text messages planning to kill Jeffries during a New York City speech event.
- He faces a felony charge of making a terroristic threat and pleaded not guilty.
Threat Against Political Leader
Christopher P. Moynihan, 34, a January 6 rioter pardoned by former President Donald Trump, was arrested in New York.
“Posted By free, fresh, fair Azat TV Quick Read On a brisk October day in New York, news broke that Christopher Moynihan—a 34-year-old resident of Clinton, New York and one of the hundreds pardoned by President Donald Trump for his role in the January 6 Capitol attack—had been arrested on charges of making credible death threats against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N”
He was charged with making a terroristic threat after allegedly sending texts threatening to assassinate House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries ahead of a planned speech in New York City.
Multiple outlets quoted messages in which Moynihan called Jeffries a “terrorist,” said he “must be eliminated,” and expressed an intent to kill him at the event.
New York authorities set bail and held Moynihan pending further court appearances.
Reports consistently frame the threat as specific to Jeffries’ upcoming public remarks in New York and note that Moynihan was arraigned on a felony count.
Jeffries praised law enforcement for swift action and said the threat was credible.
Moynihan Jan. 6 Case Details
Accounts differ on Moynihan’s convictions and pardon timeline related to January 6.
It is agreed that he previously received a 21-month sentence for obstructing Congress and entering the Senate chamber before being pardoned by Trump.
Several sources report he was convicted of obstructing an official proceeding, entering the Senate chamber, and handling documents.
Other sources state he pleaded guilty to five misdemeanors.
Reports also vary on the total number of January 6 defendants pardoned by Trump, ranging from about 1,500 to nearly 1,600.
There is disagreement on whether Moynihan served the full sentence or about a year before being released pending appeal.
Law Enforcement Response to Threat
Law enforcement acted following an FBI tip concerning Moynihan's alleged texts and mental health concerns.
““So, let’s not make it a partisan issue”
Reports mention an anonymous tip to the FBI about suspected drug abuse and homicidal thoughts.
An FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force alert was sent to state police, leading to a quick arrest.
The arrest occurred one day before Jeffries was scheduled to speak.
A temporary red-flag order was issued, with a hearing planned to discuss the surrender of firearms.
Moynihan was arraigned and held on bail while awaiting further court dates.
Political Responses to Threats and Pardons
Political reactions differed in emphasis.
Jeffries thanked law enforcement, called the threat credible, and sharply criticized Trump’s blanket pardons.
He argued many pardoned January 6 offenders have reoffended and burdened police resources.
House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned the threat but, according to some outlets, said he had not been briefed and declined to say whether Trump’s pardon was a mistake.
One outlet reports he suggested political violence is more often committed by the left.
Local and alternative outlets add that at least ten pardoned rioters have been re-arrested this year.
Moynihan is the first charged with threatening a member of Congress.
Coverage of Moynihan Threat Case
Several outlets frame Moynihan’s case as a first-of-its-kind post-pardon threat prosecution.
“Watch CBS News ©2025 CBS Broadcasting Inc”
Others situate it within a broader pattern of threats and re-arrests among Trump-pardoned January 6 offenders.
ABC and The Independent stress he is the first pardoned January 6 rioter charged with threatening a member of Congress.
Straight Arrow echoes this while adding a firearms red-flag hearing.
UPI and other alternatives emphasize a wider trend of escalating threats against U.S. officials and re-arrests.
Tabloids foreground the most inflammatory quotes from the texts.
Asian and international outlets offer concise summaries without sensational language.
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