Pardoned Capitol rioter charged with threatening to kill Hakeem Jeffries at NYC event this week
CBS16 hrs
Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Charged with Threatening to Kill Jeffries
Above: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries at the Economic Club of New York on Oct. 20, 2025. Image copyright: Michael Nagle/Bloomberg/Getty Images
The Spin
Democratic narrative
Trump’s mass pardons of Jan. 6 insurrectionists have had dangerous and predictable consequences. Moynihan is facing charges for threatening to assassinate Jeffries and, unfortunately, he’s not alone. Several pardoned rioters have been arrested for serious crimes, highlighting the reckless decision to release individuals who attacked democracy on that dark day in U.S. history.
Republican narrative
This isolated incident by a pardoned Jan. 6 offender — which was condemned by Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson — does not erase the consistent pattern of left-wing extremism and hate-filled rhetoric towards Trump supporters, which was amplified at recent “No Kings” rallies. The mainstream media often downplays this rhetoric but it's a real problem that must be handled.