Context:

A Maryland man, Seth Jason, was arrested for making threatening calls to the Georgia offices of Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene between October 2023 and January 2025, threatening to harm Greene, her family, and her staff. Jason, who used phone lines from his workplace at Voice of America, also served as a volunteer reserve officer for the Anne Arundel County Police Department until his recent disaffiliation. He faces a four-count indictment including charges of threatening federal officials and their families, interstate communications with threats, and anonymous telecommunications harassment. Acting U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro highlighted the seriousness of these threats, emphasizing the need for public officials to live without fear, and referencing the broader trend of increased threats against politicians amid a divisive political climate. Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan underscored the urgency of addressing this issue, alluding to a recent violent incident in Minnesota as a catalyst for heightened accountability efforts.

Dive Deeper:

• Seth Jason, aged 64, was charged with making threats to assault and kill Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, her family, and her staff, utilizing phone lines from his workplace at the Voice of America headquarters in Washington.

• Jason's indictment includes charges for influencing a federal official by threat, influencing a federal official by threatening a family member, making interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure, and engaging in anonymous telecommunications harassment.

• The threats were made over several calls to Greene's district offices between October 2023 and January 2025, and Jason allegedly used a tone that suggested he was armed and ready for confrontation.

• Despite serving as a volunteer reserve officer since 2016, Jason has been disaffiliated from the Anne Arundel County Police Department after his arrest, as reserve officers there hold no official police authority.

• Acting U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro condemned the threats during a news conference, stressing the importance of protecting public officials from living in constant fear due to such intimidation tactics.

• Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan emphasized the need for accountability in light of increasing threats against politicians, referencing a recent violent incident in Minnesota as evidence of the urgent need for action.

• The situation reflects a broader national trend of rising threats against members of Congress and public officials, fueled by the country's increasingly polarized political environment.