Pardoned Capitol Rioter Arrested for Alleged Threat Against House Democratic Leader

A pardoned Capitol rioter faces new felony charges after allegedly threatening to kill House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, raising concerns about recidivism among previously pardoned January 6 defendants. Christopher Moynihan was arrested last weekend by New York State Police following an FBI investigation into threatening text messages targeting the top House Democrat.

The Alleged Threats Against Hakeem Jeffries

According to court documents obtained by CBS News, Moynihan was arrested Sunday after sending text messages stating he planned to "eliminate" Jeffries when the House Democratic leader spoke at an Economic Club of New York event on Monday. Prosecutors allege Moynihan wrote, "Hakeem Jeffries makes a speech in a few days in NYC I cannot allow this terrorist to live." In another message, he allegedly stated: "Even if I am hated, he must be eliminated, I will kill him for the future."

Moynihan's January 6 Involvement and Pardon

Moynihan was among the more than 1,500 Capitol riot defendants pardoned by President Trump nine months ago, just hours after Trump returned to the White House. His previous conviction stemmed from his significant role in the January 6, 2021 attack. According to prosecutors, Moynihan was among the first rioters to breach police barricades and enter the Capitol grounds.

Court records show Moynihan was found guilty in August 2022 of obstructing an official proceeding and pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor charges, resulting in a 21-month prison sentence handed down in February 2023. Prosecutors described him as being among a smaller group of rioters who reached the Senate floor during the siege, where he allegedly rifled through a senator's notebook and occupied the Senate dais.

Current Legal Status and Broader Implications

Moynihan now faces a felony charge of making a terroristic threat and was arraigned in local court in Clinton, New York. He was remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center with bail set at $10,000 cash, $30,000 bond, or $80,000 partially secured bond. His first court appearance in this case is scheduled for Thursday.

This case represents the first instance of a pardoned Capitol rioter being charged with making a violent threat against a member of Congress. The arrest comes amid what Capitol Police describe as a "fast-growing wave of threats against legislators," with threat investigations in 2025 already exceeding 14,000 cases—surpassing the total for all of 2024.

Pattern of Recidivism Among Pardoned Rioters

Moynihan is not the first pardoned Capitol rioter to face new criminal charges. Critics of the blanket pardons have repeatedly warned about recidivism risks among defendants who remained defiant about their roles in the attack. Other cases include Zachary Alam, arrested weeks after his 2025 pardon for allegedly breaking and entering a Virginia home, and Matthew Huttle, who was fatally shot by police during a traffic stop after allegedly raising a firearm at officers.

The January 6 attack resulted in injuries to more than 140 police officers, caused millions in damage to the Capitol complex, and interrupted the certification of the 2020 electoral vote. Many rioters displayed extreme violence, chanting threats against then-Vice President Mike Pence and then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi while assaulting officers with various weapons.

This latest case underscores ongoing security concerns and the complex legacy of the Capitol riot pardons, particularly as threats against elected officials continue to rise at an alarming rate across the United States.