| WASHINGTON, DC — Following reports that Christopher Moynihan, a January 6 rioter pardoned by President Trump, has been charged with threatening to assassinate House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, the Not Above the Law coalition warns that Trump’s reprehensible pardons have released dangerous criminals back into our communities. Moynihan, who was convicted for his role in the January 6 attack on the Capitol, allegedly sent threatening text messages about killing Leader Jeffries ahead of his scheduled appearance in New York City. In response, the Not Above the Law coalition’s co-chairs – Lisa Gilbert, Co-President of Public Citizen; Praveen Fernandes, Vice President of the Constitutional Accountability Center; Kelsey Herbert, Campaign Director at MoveOn; and Brett Edkins, Managing Director for Policy and Political Affairs at Stand Up America – released the following statement: “This is what happens when you pardon violent extremists. Christopher Moynihan was convicted by a jury of his peers and imprisoned for attacking our Capitol – then, President Trump set him free. Moynihan has now allegedly threatened to assassinate a Member of Congress. “Trump pardoned nearly 1,600 rioters, including insurrectionists and violent criminals who assaulted police officers and threatened our democracy. He sent a clear message: political violence in service of Donald Trump will be rewarded, not punished. The consequences are playing out now. “More than eight in ten Americans opposed Trump’s blanket pardons for January 6 offenders because they believed the pardons might embolden extremists and put lives at risk. These charges prove them right. “Political violence has no place in our democracy. Every elected official should condemn both this threat and the pardon that enabled it.” For questions about our work to hold Trump accountable or to request an interview with a Not Above the Law coalition leader, please email press@focalpointstrategygroup.com. |
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