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A participant in the Jan. 6 Capitol riot who received a pardon from President Donald Trump is now accused of threatening to kill House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Christopher Moynihan, 34, allegedly sent threatening text messages about an appearance by Jeffries, according to a felony complaint filed in New York state court.
“Hakeem Jeffries will be giving a speech in a few days in New York. I cannot allow this terrorist to live… Even though I am hated, he must be eliminated… I will kill him for the future,” the text messages read, according to the complaint dated Saturday.
The recipient of the texts has not been identified.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks to reporters on the steps of the House on the 16th day of the government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Thursday, Oct. 16, 2025. (J. Scott Applewhite)
The messages were reportedly sent on Friday.
“These text messages caused the recipient to fear the imminent murder and assassination of Hakeem Jeffries by the defendant,” the complaint states.
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A scene from the January 6 riot at the United States Capitol in 2021. (Julio Cortez, file)
Jeffries, who represents New York’s 8th Congressional District, is the top Democrat in the House since 2022.
In February 2023, Moynihan was sentenced to 21 months in prison for, among other things, obstructing 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 objected to the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election.
Moynihan was “fully pardoned by President Trump on 1/20/25 for his role in the Capitol riots,” notes an extreme risk protection order report filed by New York State Police in Clinton’s court on Saturday.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., right, speak with reporters following their meeting with President Donald Trump and Republican leaders on the government funding crisis, at the Capitol in Washington, Monday, Sept. 29, 2025. (J. Scott Applewhite)
Moynihan is due back in court Thursday.
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“Threats made against elected officials and members of the public will not be tolerated,” Dutchess County Prosecutor Anthony Parisi said. “We will use all available investigative and prosecutorial tools to hold responsible parties accountable, protect potential victims, and deter future violence.”
Ryan Schmelz of Fox News, Louis Casiano of Fox News Digital and Reuters contributed to this report.
