Christopher Moynihan, a January 6 rioter who was fully pardoned by President Trump on his first day in office, has been arrested and charged with making a “credible death threat” against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. It’s not hard to believe we’re here again, but a man Trump previously referred to as one of his “patriots” is now facing a felony count of making a terroristic threat just after getting a get-out-of-jail-free card for his role in the Capitol riot.
Moynihan, a 34-year-old from Clinton, New York, was taken into custody after the FBI received an anonymous tip that raised serious alarms. The tip expressed concern over the “recent suspected narcotic abuse and an increase in the respondent’s homicidal ideations”. This wasn’t a vague threat; it was specific. Charging documents show Moynihan allegedly planned to kill Jeffries in New York City, explicitly stating that he was doing it for “the future,” per NBC News.
He even wrote a truly chilling and unhinged line about the congressman: “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”. To be fair, Jeffries did speak at an event this past Monday, so this was a specific, immediate danger that law enforcement had to address. Jeffries is not a friend of Trump, so Trump’s goons obviously don’t like him, but this is too far.
A pardoned man literally threatened to kill a congressman
The New York State Police were advised of the threat by the FBI on Saturday. Following a “thorough investigation,” Moynihan was arrested and arraigned before the Town of Clinton Court. He’s currently being held at the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center in Poughkeepsie, with a judge setting bail at a pretty high amount: $10,000 cash, $30,000 bond, or an $80,000 partially secured bond. He’s due back in court on Thursday.
Dutchess County District Attorney Anthony Parisi was very clear about the seriousness of the situation, stressing that “Threats made against elected officials and members of the public will not be tolerated”. Parisi promised that his office would “pursue every available investigative and prosecutorial tool to hold responsible parties accountable, protect potential victims, and deter future violence”. You can expect prosecutors to crackdown hard on this.
This new charge is especially galling because it’s a full-circle moment for a man who already showed a terrifying willingness to use violence for his political aims. Moynihan had a history of criminal issues, including two petty larceny cases and four drug possession cases. On the other hand, it was his actions on January 6, 2021, that landed him 21 months in prison back in February 2023.
He was among the first rioters to storm the Capitol grounds. Federal prosecutors noted that Moynihan viewed himself “as part of an existential battle against those who [disagree] with him”, and his own words absolutely demonstrate that. When he entered the building, he yelled, “And we’re f—ing in! F—, yeah. Every single one of you is a patriot! Remember that. Restore this republic. Down with communism. Down with communism. Down with Biden. We will restore our republic” by taking over by force instead of by vote.
Published: Oct 21, 2025 04:04 pm