Threats against public officials raise questions about candidate safety ahead of the mayoral election.
A man in Texas is facing charges after allegedly making terroristic threats as a hate crime against Democratic New York state assemblyman and nominee for mayor Zohran Mamdani.
Why It Matters
Threats against public officials raise questions about candidate safety, the effect of online and telephone harassment on civic participation, and how prosecutors and police investigate hate‑motivated communications.
The indictment of a nonresident who allegedly made the calls and submitted a written message underscores cross‑jurisdictional enforcement challenges and the role of federal, state and local partners in responding to threats.
The man’s arraignment on Thursday comes after conservative Charlie Kirk was gunned down at a college campus in Utah this month during a live question and answer.
Kirk’s killing has gripped the nation and sparked conversations of lawmaker’s safety in public and free speech protections.What To Know
According to Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Jeremy Fistel was indicted on charges of making a terroristic threat as a hate crime, along with additional related crimes for voicemail and written messages to Mamdani.
Fistel was arraigned on Thursday on a 22-count indictment, Katz’s office notes. Fistel faces 15 years in prison if convicted on the top charge.
The District Attorney’s Office says that Fistel called Mamdani and left a voicemail on June 18 saying: “Go on and start your car.
