A pardoned January 6th defendant has been arrested for threatening to murder House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, raising serious questions about the vetting process for presidential clemency and the potential consequences of mass pardons.
Story Highlights
- Christopher Moynihan, pardoned by Trump nine months ago, threatened to “eliminate” Hakeem Jeffries.
- Moynihan was among the first rioters to breach Capitol barricades and enter the Senate floor on January 6th.
- He faces felony terroristic threat charges with bail set at $10,000 cash or higher bond amounts.
- The case highlights potential gaps in the clemency vetting process for over 1,500 pardoned Capitol defendants.
Pardoned Rioter Makes Explicit Death Threats
Christopher Moynihan, 34, was arrested Sunday by New York State Police after sending text messages threatening to kill House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries during his October 20th speech at the Economic Club of New York.
According to court filings, Moynihan wrote, “Hakeem Jeffries makes a speech in a few days in NYC I cannot allow this terrorist to live,” and “Even if I am hated, he must be eliminated. I will kill him for the future.” The FBI Joint Terrorism Task Force investigated the threats, leading to felony charges.
Pardoned Capitol rioter arrested for allegedly threatening to murder Hakeem Jeffries https://t.co/CkkNp7TiDw pic.twitter.com/4dPvcOvqwf
— New York Post (@nypost) October 21, 2025
January 6th Criminal History Detailed
Moynihan was among the first rioters to breach police barricades and enter the Capitol grounds on January 6, 2021. Prosecutors documented his presence on the Senate floor, where he rifled through a Senator’s desk notebook, stating, “There’s gotta be something in here we can use against these scumbags.”
He occupied the Senate dais, participated in chanting with other rioters, and refused to leave until forced out by police. His actions resulted in a conviction for obstructing an official proceeding and five misdemeanor charges.
Previous Sentencing and Recent Clemency
In August 2022, Moynihan was found guilty and sentenced to 21 months in prison in February 2023. He served his sentence before receiving a presidential pardon from Trump nine months ago as part of the clemency granted to over 1,500 Capitol riot defendants at the start of Trump’s second term.
The pardon restored his freedom but clearly did not address the underlying issues that led to his violent behavior and extremist rhetoric against elected officials.
Legal Proceedings and Bail Conditions
Moynihan was arraigned in Clinton, New York, and remanded to the Dutchess County Justice and Transition Center with bail set at $10,000 cash, a $30,000 bond, or an $80,000 partially secured bond. He is scheduled to appear in Dutchess County court to face the felony terroristic threat charges.
The case demonstrates that presidential pardons do not prevent future criminal prosecutions for new offenses, and individuals who receive clemency remain subject to the full force of law for subsequent criminal behavior.
