A Democratic Senate candidate from Pennsylvania was arrested after federal agents said he left voicemails threatening to kill President Donald Trump and a member of Congress.
Raymond Chandler, an Allegheny County resident running for U.S. Senate, was taken into custody by FBI agents and U.S. Secret Service personnel in Pittsburgh. According to court documents, Chandler allegedly left threatening messages on April 18 and April 29.
What the Allegations Say
In an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania, prosecutors allege Chandler described violent scenarios involving a congressman and his family, citing “wealth concentration” as justification. On a second voicemail recorded April 29, he allegedly urged a congressional member to assassinate Trump and called the president “a liar among all liars” and “the antichrist.”
Congressional staff members alerted law enforcement after the messages became increasingly threatening toward the president, members of Congress, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement, according to the affidavit.
The Campaign Announcement
Hours before his arrest, Chandler posted a YouTube video announcing his 2028 Senate campaign challenging incumbent Democrat John Fetterman in the primary. His stated platform included raising taxes on billionaires, expanding social programs, regulating technology companies, and abolishing ICE.
A Separate Case
Federal prosecutors are also pursuing charges against Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, in connection with an incident at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner. The Department of Justice said Allen entered the Washington Hilton armed with multiple weapons while attempting to reach the ballroom where Trump, Cabinet officials, and journalists were present.
Allen faces charges of attempted assassination of the president, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence, and transporting a firearm across state lines. During his initial court appearance, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Ballantine told the judge, “He attempted to assassinate the president of the United States, Donald J. Trump. We are asking the court to preventatively detain Mr. Allen.”
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro said the investigation remains active, “There will be additional charges as this investigation continues to unfold.”