A Democratic candidate for the U.S. Senate in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania, is accused of leaving threatening voicemails directed at President Donald Trump and the candidate’s family.
The individual, Raymond Eugene Chandler III, recently announced his campaign against Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania). Following a federal investigation, he has been arrested and charged, according to the Daily Voice.
The criminal complaint from the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania indicates Chandler left several voicemails over the last year. Officials characterize these calls as part of an escalating pattern of concerning behavior.
Chandler is facing charges related to threatening a federal employee and a family member, as reported by WTAE.
Court documents have revealed Chandler’s phone records.
“Imagine a scenario where all 1,200 billionaires in this country and their wealth are surrounded by 1,000 people. Think of your home, your daughter’s home, everyone you care about being wealthy; then they receive a message and approach your house, and… well, you get the idea. This isn’t the future I want, but it seems inevitable if wealth inequality continues,” he stated in one of the calls.
In another call, Chandler expressed a desire for Trump to be assassinated, urging the recipient to use a firearm against him and labeling Trump as a “liar” and “the antichrist.”
Chandler’s campaign website highlights his mixed beliefs, describing himself as “a Quaker, a Christian, a Buddhist, and a follower of the Hermetic Way.”
He has claimed he volunteered as a protest medic during the Black Lives Matter movement in 2020 and aims to use his platform to teach on “legal, ethical, and responsible resistance.”
Regarding his objectives in Washington, Chandler aims to tax billionaires, abolish ICE, implement Medicare for All, and introduce a universal basic income.
Reports indicate Chandler supported armed resistance against federal authorities and mentioned the idea of constructing gallows for some Congress members, citing fear of the government as a reason for purchasing weapons.
Prosecutors are moving to keep Chandler in custody as the case unfolds, with heightened security implemented for federal employees and their families due to the nature of the threats.
In related news, President Trump has reportedly survived three assassination attempts. White House press secretary Caroline Leavitt recently stated that the latest threat reflects over a decade of negative portrayal of Trump by various media and political figures.
“No one has faced more violence than President Trump in recent years. This political violence can be traced back to the consistent attacks against him and his supporters,” she remarked, particularly in the context of a recent incident involving a suspect attempting to target Trump.
The FBI commented on Chandler’s case, stating, “This morning, FBI Pittsburgh and the U.S. Secret Service arrested Raymond Chandler for threatening to kill federal employees, including President Trump. The FBI does not tolerate threats of violence and is working diligently to protect public servants and the community.” The agency highlighted this arrest as a collaboration with several law enforcement partners.
