New York, Oct 25, (V7N) – As the political climate intensifies this election season, threats against election workers and public officials have surged alarmingly, escalating from verbal harassment to violent incidents, including shootings and a bombing.
Recent charges illustrate this troubling trend. In Philadelphia, a man was charged for threatening to "skin" and kill a state party official involved in recruiting poll watchers. In Alabama, another individual was charged for threatening to execute election officials in Arizona.
In Arizona, Jeffrey Michael Kelly, 60, was arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including committing a terrorist act, following three shootings at a Democratic campaign office. Authorities seized over 120 firearms from his residence, highlighting the seriousness of the situation. Kelly's attorney declined to comment.
In California, Nathaniel James McGuire, 20, faces indictment for bombing a courthouse in Santa Barbara. An explosion in the courthouse lobby on September 25 injured five individuals, and McGuire was apprehended with firearms and explosives, reportedly shouting against the government.
The Justice Department has formed a federal election threats task force to address these alarming issues. Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the need to protect public servants, stating, “Anyone who illegally threatens an election worker, official, or volunteer will face consequences.”
Recent actions include:
Colorado: Teak Brockbank, 45, pleaded guilty to threatening state election officials and others over several years, with threats that included calls for execution.
Alabama: Brian Jerry Ogstad, 60, was sentenced to 30 months in prison for violent threats directed at election workers in Arizona during the 2022 primary elections.
Florida: Richard Glenn Kantwill, 61, faces multiple charges for making interstate threats against election officials, along with a history of racially charged harassment.
Pennsylvania: John Pollard, 62, was charged for threatening a state party representative involved in poll watching recruitment.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco underscored that threats against election workers threaten the democratic process, stating, “To carry out their essential work, election officials must be free from intimidation.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray echoed these concerns, emphasizing the unacceptable reality that election workers must fear for their safety: “The fact that they need to worry about their security is incomprehensible and unacceptable.”
As Election Day approaches, the imperative to protect those who uphold democracy is clearer than ever.
END/NYC/SMA/
Comment: