January 6 rioter pardoned by Trump arrested for threatening to kill Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries
He was among nearly 1,590 people charged in the storming of the US Capitol by supporters of Trump to prevent the certification of Democrat Joe Biden's 2020 presidential election victory.
October 21, 2025 11:46 PM IST
First published on: Oct 21, 2025 at 11:46 PM IST
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks to reporters on day 17 of the government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)
A New York man who was pardoned by President Donald Trump for his involvement in the riots on the US Capitol on January 6, 2021, has been arrested for threatening to kill House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Who is Christopher Moynihan?
According to the New York State Police, the suspect, identified as Christopher Moynihan, is accused of sending threatening text messages saying that he was going to kill Jeffries, who represents New York’s 8th congressional district.
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In February 2023, Moynihan was sentenced to 21 months in prison on charges including obstruction of an official proceeding. (Photo: Department of Justice)
Charges against Christopher Moynihan
Jeffries was scheduled to make an appearance in New York City when the 34-year-old suspect allegedly planned to target the Democratic Party leader, according to a felony complaint filed in New York state court in Clinton.
“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. … I will kill him for the future,” the text messages read, according to the complaint, dated Saturday.
The messages were sent on Friday, it said.
“These text messages placed the recipient in reasonable fear of the imminent murder and assassination of Hakeem Jeffries by the defendant,” the complaint said.
The charge against Moynihan – making a terroristic threat – is a Class D felony, the complaint said.
Convicted for Jan 6 riots
In February 2023, Moynihan was sentenced to 21 months in prison on charges including obstruction of an official proceeding, a felony. He was among nearly 1,590 people charged in the storming of the US Capitol by supporters of Trump to prevent the certification of Democrat Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential election victory.
At least 10 other January 6 rioters have been re-arrested, charged or sentenced for other crimes. (Photo: AP)
Trump pardoned nearly everyone criminally charged with participating in the January 6, 2021, attack on his first day in office in a show of solidarity with supporters who backed his false claim of victory in that vote.
At least 10 other January 6 rioters have been re-arrested, charged or sentenced for other crimes, including child sexual abuse, plotting to murder FBI agents and reckless homicide while driving drunk, according to Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. Moynihan appears to be the only rioter known to face a charge involving an elected official since being pardoned.
Jeffries thanked law enforcement for their work and said many of those pardoned by Trump in January have committed crimes across the country.
“Unfortunately, our brave men and women in law enforcement are being forced to spend their time keeping our communities safe from these violent individuals who should never have been pardoned,” he said in a statement.
Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson denounced the suspect.
“Anybody who threatens to kill any political official, we denounce it absolutely. We ought to have justice fall upon their head,” Johnson, who has frequently clashed with Jeffries over the ongoing US Government shutdown, said.
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House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., speaks to reporters on day 17 of the government shutdown, at the Capitol in Washington, Friday, Oct. 17, 2025. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite) 
