Trump, beneficiary of January 6 pardon, accused of threatening to kill Jeffries

A New Yorker who received a pardon from President Donald Trump for his role in the Jan. 6, 2021, riots at the U.S. Capitol has been charged with threatening to kill House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

Christopher Moynihan, 34, of Clinton, is charged with making a terroristic threat against Jeffries, New York State Police said. He is being held on $10,000 cash bail.

Moynihan, in August 2022, pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor charges and was convicted at a scheduled trial of one count in connection with his role in the Capitol riot by a mob of Trump supporters.

He was sentenced in February 2023 to 21 months in prison and turned himself in the following month. He was released after serving 12 months while he appealed his felony conviction.

Moynihan was one of approximately 1,500 people accused of crimes related to January 6 who were pardoned by Trump on his first day back in the White House on January 20, 2025. His arrest for allegedly threatening Jeffries was first reported by CBS News.

“I am grateful to federal and state law enforcement for their quick and decisive action to apprehend a dangerous individual who made a credible death threat against me with every intention of carrying it out,” Jeffries, who represents a New York City district, said in a statement.

“The arrestee, along with the thousands of violent criminals who stormed the U.S. Capitol during the January 6 attack, were pardoned by Donald Trump on his first day in office,” Jeffries said.

“Since the general pardon granted earlier this year, many released criminals have committed new crimes across the country,” Jeffries said. “Unfortunately, our brave law enforcement men and women are forced to spend their time protecting our communities from these violent individuals who should never have been pardoned.”

This is developing news. Check back for updates.