A New Hampshire man has been arrested and charged with threatening to kill an unidentified US senator.
On Friday, the US Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire Announced that Brian Landry, 66, was charged with threatening to assault, kidnap or murder the senator, “in connection with the official performance of official duties.”
The charges carry a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, up to three years of supervised release and a fine of up to $250,000.
According to the official statement, Landry called a district field office for the senator on May 17 and left a voicemail saying, “Hey, stupid. I am a veteran sniper. And unless you change your ways, I have set my sights in your direction and I will come looking for you. You’re a dead man walking you piece of shit.
Investigators linked the phone call to a number associated with Landry. He admitted to calling the office, but said he didn’t remember what he said.
court documents reviewed on NBC revealed that in an interview at Landry’s home on May 24, he “reported [investigators] that he is extremely angry with certain politicians for their handling of important veterans’ rights programs.”
Landry also said he was upset “after seeing news stories about a lawmaker ‘blocking military promotions,'” NBC reported.
Republican Senator Tommy Tuberville of Alabama blocks the promotions of some 200 civilian leaders and Pentagon uniforms.
Tuberville opposes a Pentagon policy that pays service members to travel for abortions and also offers three weeks of administrative leave.
In March, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin criticized Tuberville for blocking the nominations, which he said were “absolutely critical.”
“There are a number of things happening globally that indicate we could be in a contest on any given day,” Austin saying. “Not passing recommendations for promotions actually creates a ripple effect through force that makes us far less prepared than we need to be.”
Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer also criticized Tuberville, saying his delay in nominations, including for commanders of US naval forces in the Pacific and Middle East, was “reckless.” and it couldn’t come at a “worse time”. .
The charges against Landry reflect growing concern among lawmakers amid an increase in political violence.
According to a poll last summer, one in five American adults, roughly 50 million people, think that political violence is sometimes justified.
Last July, the House sergeant-at-arms announced that congressmen would receive $10,000 to improve security in their homes.
In October, in San Francisco, the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was attacked by a man with a hammer.
In November, Joe Biden urged Americans to take a stand against political violence, calling on the public to “preserve democracy.”