A recent threat directed towards the judge presiding over Donald Trump’s civil fraud trial in New York has added to the growing concern within the U.S. Justice Department. This incident is just one in a series of troubling events targeting prominent officials in the United States.
Justice Arthur Engoron, who has often been the subject of the former U.S. president’s anger, received a threat just hours before he was scheduled to preside over closing arguments. The court spokesperson confirmed the incident, although it remains unclear if any arrests were made.
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland expressed grave concern over a significant increase in threats against public servants. In recent times, prosecutors have taken legal action against individuals who have allegedly made threats against FBI agents, federal judges, presidential candidates, members of Congress, military personnel, and election workers. Garland emphasized the seriousness of these cases and the need to address such threats.
Attending a press conference, Garland expressed his strong disapproval of the threats of violence, deeming them completely unacceptable. He emphasized that such actions pose a significant threat to the very foundation of our democracy.
The security incidents that have occurred in the first weeks of 2024 have heightened concerns during a year when the nation’s divisions are set to be prominently showcased through a presidential election and ongoing legal cases involving Trump, who is currently the frontrunner for the Republican nomination.
Just days after Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is presiding over the election interference case against Trump in Washington federal court, was targeted in a possible “swatting” incident, another threat has emerged against Judge Nicholas G. Garaufis. “Swatting” refers to the act of falsely reporting an emergency to prompt a police response to a specific location.
Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is prosecuting the two federal criminal cases against Trump, and Republican U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, a staunch Trump ally, both experienced “swatting” incidents on Christmas Day, as per media reports.
On January 3rd, a series of fake bomb threats caused the temporary evacuation of numerous statehouses in the United States. However, law enforcement officials confirmed that these threats were not credible.
Federal prosecutors have recently filed charges against a man from New Hampshire for allegedly sending threatening text messages to three presidential candidates. Additionally, a 72-year-old man from Florida has been charged with leaving voicemails that threatened to harm Democratic U.S. Representative Eric Swalwell and his children.
Andrew Goudsward reported the information, while Scott Malone and Bill Berkrot were responsible for editing it.