A Pennsylvania Democrat running for U.S. Senate was arrested after federal agents said he left threatening voicemails targeting President Donald Trump and members of Congress.
The FBI and U.S. Secret Service arrested Raymond Chandler, an Allegheny County resident, in Pittsburgh following an investigation into the threatening messages. According to court documents filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, Chandler allegedly left voicemails on April 18 and April 29 containing threats of violence.
What the Allegations Say
In one voicemail, Chandler described a violent scenario involving an unidentified member of Congress and that lawmaker’s family, prosecutors alleged. Court documents state Chandler claimed such violence was justified because “wealth concentration has gotten so bad in this country.”
In a second message on April 29, Chandler allegedly urged a member of Congress to assassinate President Trump, referring to him as “a liar among all liars” and “the antichrist,” according to the affidavit. Congressional staff contacted law enforcement after the messages became increasingly threatening toward the president, members of Congress, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, the court documents state.
Campaign and Platform
Hours before his arrest, Chandler posted a YouTube video announcing his campaign for the U.S. Senate, stating he intended to challenge Democratic Senator John Fetterman in the 2028 primary. His campaign platform included proposals for higher taxes on billionaires, expanded social programs, increased regulation of technology companies, and abolishing ICE, according to court filings.
A Pa. man has been indicted for allegedly threatening President Trump and federal officials | Click on the image to read the full story https://t.co/AZSd6nm25T
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Related Charges Against Another Suspect
Separately, prosecutors are pursuing charges against Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, in connection with an incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The Department of Justice accused Allen of entering the Washington Hilton armed with multiple weapons while attempting to reach the ballroom where President Trump, Cabinet officials, and journalists were gathered.
Allen faces charges including attempted assassination of the president, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and transporting a firearm across state lines. During his initial court appearance, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Ballantine argued for his detention pending trial, stating, “He attempted to assassinate the president of the United States, Donald J. Trump.”
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro told the court that the investigation remained ongoing and additional charges could be filed. “This was an attempted assassination of the President of the United States, with the defendant making clear what his intent was,” Pirro said at a press conference.
This story has been updated. CNN’s Political Crime Unit contributed to this report.