Trump-Pardoned Jan 6 Rioter Charged With Threatening House Minority Leader Jeffries

Christopher Moynihan, a New York man pardoned by President Donald Trump for his role in the January 6, 2021, Capitol riot, has been arrested and charged with making terroristic threats against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Moynihan allegedly sent text messages expressing intent to kill Jeffries ahead of a scheduled speech in New York City, stating Jeffries "must be eliminated" and that he would kill him "for the future." Jeffries praised law enforcement for their swift action and criticized Trump's blanket pardons for enabling violent offenders to commit further crimes. Moynihan was previously convicted of obstructing an official proceeding and sentenced to 21 months in prison before receiving a pardon from Trump in January 2025. The FBI and New York State Police continue to investigate the case, while political leaders from both parties condemned the threats and violence. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about the consequences of broad presidential pardon powers and the potential risks posed by those pardoned for politically motivated offenses.