Capitol Riot Pardonee Faces New Charges for Alleged Threats Against Hakeem Jeffries

WASHINGTON — A resident of New York, previously pardoned by former President Donald Trump for his involvement in the January 6 Capitol incident, now faces arrest and charges for allegedly threatening the life of House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, officials have confirmed.

Christopher Moynihan, hailing from Clinton, New York, appeared in court on Tuesday where he entered a plea of not guilty, as per court records reviewed by CBS News. Currently, the 34-year-old remains in custody at the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center with bail options set at $10,000 cash, a $30,000 bond, or an $80,000 partially secured bond, according to a statement from the New York State Police.

The arrest was executed by the Bureau of Criminal Investigation at Poughkeepsie, in collaboration with the FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force. Moynihan is charged with the felony of making a terroristic threat.

Prosecutors allege that Moynihan dispatched menacing text messages prior to Jeffries’ engagement at the Economic Club of New York on Monday.

In one message, Moynihan allegedly wrote, “Hakeem Jeffries makes a speech in a few days in NYC I cannot allow this terrorist to live.” Another message stated, “Even if I am hated, he must be eliminated, I will kill him for the future,” CBS News reported.

In a statement posted to X Tuesday, Jeffries acknowledged Moynihan’s Trump-issued pardon and condemned the threats.

“Since the blanket pardon that occurred earlier this year, many of the criminals released have committed additional crimes throughout the country,” Jeffries said. “Threats of violence will not stop us from showing up, standing up and speaking up for the American people.”

Moynihan was one of more than 1,500 individuals granted clemency by President Donald Trump during his first day back in office in January. He was sentenced to 21 months in prison in February 2023 after being found guilty of obstructing an official proceeding and pleading guilty to five misdemeanor charges related to the Jan. 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.

According to federal reports, Moynihan was among the rioters who breached police barricades that day and was one of the few to reach the Senate floor. He was captured on video rifling through papers on a senator’s desk, allegedly saying, “There’s gotta be something in here we can f—ing use against these scumbags.” Prosecutors also said he joined chants on a platform in the Senate before being removed by police. 

The Capitol riot injured more than 140 police officers, caused millions in damage and interrupted the certification of the 2020 election results. The attack forced lawmakers to evacuate and left congressional leaders in secure locations. Some rioters carried weapons or called for violence against then-Vice President Mike Pence and Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

Moynihan is scheduled to appear in court again on Oct. 23.