Trump-Pardoned Rioter Arrested Again on Threatening Charge

Strategic Insights -

A 34-year-old man pardoned by former U.S. President Donald Trump for his role in the January 6 riot was arrested over the weekend after allegedly sending threatening text messages to an associate about House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries. Christopher P. Moynihan, 34, was charged with a class D felony of making a terroristic threat and pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor charges related to obstructing an official government proceeding on January 6, 2021. Moynihan's arrest is the latest in a string of Trump-pardoned convicted criminals who have been re-arrested on newer charges.

Key Takeaways:

  • Christopher P. Moynihan, 34, was arrested over the weekend for allegedly sending threatening text messages to an associate about House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
  • Moynihan was charged with a class D felony of making a terroristic threat and pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor charges related to obstructing an official government proceeding on January 6, 2021.
  • Moynihan was pardoned by former U.S. President Donald Trump in August 2022 for his role in the January 6 riot.
  • Moynihan has a history of drug use and petty crimes, and was sentenced to 21 months in jail in February 2022 before being pardoned by Trump.
  • The investigation into Moynihan was initiated by the FBI as part of a growing trend of threats against U.S. lawmakers.
  • According to court records, Moynihan was among the first to breach Capitol police barricades to enter the building on January 6, 2021.

Statistics:

  • Over 140 Capitol police officers were injured during the January 6 riot.
  • The riot caused damage to the historic complex to the tune of millions of dollars and delayed the 2020 electoral college count.
  • Moynihan pleaded guilty to five misdemeanor charges and was pardoned by Trump in August 2022.
  • Moynihan was sentenced to 21 months in jail in February 2022 before being pardoned by Trump.
  • The FBI initiated the investigation into Moynihan as part of a growing trend of threats against U.S. lawmakers.
  • There were over 14,000 threat investigations against U.S. lawmakers in 2024, up from previous years.

Sources:

  • UPI. October 21. "Rioter who got Trump pardon arrested again on threatening charge".