A defendant from the January 6 riots, who received a pardon from President Donald Trump earlier this year, has been arrested for allegedly making a credible death threat against House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, a Democrat from New York. This was confirmed in a statement released by Jeffries.
Christopher Moynihan, a 34-year-old resident of Clinton, New York, faces a felony charge for making a terroristic threat, as reported by the New York State Police.
Arrest Details
On Saturday, the police were alerted by the FBI regarding threats made by Moynihan to kill a member of Congress. Following a comprehensive investigation, he was apprehended and brought before the Town of Clinton Court.
Moynihan is being held at the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center located in Poughkeepsie, New York. A judge has set his cash bail at $10,000, with an alternative bond of $30,000 or a partially secured bond of $80,000. His next court appearance is scheduled for Thursday.
CBS News was the first outlet to report on this matter.
Background
In February 2023, Moynihan was sentenced to 21 months in prison due to his participation in the Capitol riot. Prosecutors indicated he was among the initial rioters who breached the Capitol grounds, witnessing violent confrontations between rioters and police at the rotunda entrance. “And we’re f—ing in!” Moynihan reportedly exclaimed. “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.”
Prosecutors noted that Moynihan was one of the individuals who gained entry into the Senate gallery, where he searched through a notebook belonging to Senator Ted Cruz, a Republican from Texas. “There’s gotta be something in here we can f—- use against these scumbags,” he is quoted as saying. When another rioter suggested that Cruz would support their actions, Moynihan replied, “Yeah. Absolutely,” as captured on video.
Legal History and Sentencing Insights
Moynihan’s legal troubles prior to the Capitol events included two petty larceny cases and four drug possession charges. According to a sentencing memo from federal prosecutors, he viewed himself “as part of an existential battle against those who [disagree] with him.” His statements and actions indicated he believed his offenses were warranted as they aligned with his political objectives.
Following a Supreme Court ruling that affected one of his cases, Moynihan was ordered to be released after serving a 12-month sentence for other charges. His appeal regarding his conviction and sentencing was still pending when he received Trump’s pardon, according to court documents. His defense team noted that Moynihan “felt a unique allegiance to President Trump,” and was an “receptive audience” to Trump’s unfounded claims about the 2020 presidential election.
