A conservative influencer railed in opposition to the Democratic Party for having “mainstreamed violence as a political tool” throughout a Justice Department press convention the place Attorney General Pam Bondi mentioned a death threat in opposition to him.
At the occasion in Florida, Content creator Benny Johnson mentioned he acquired a graphic letter threatening the lives of him and his relations — a threat he attributed to Democratic politicians calling for violence in opposition to conservatives and Christians.
“We must understand the battle we are fighting, good versus evil, darkness versus light, and good must conquer evil,” Johnson mentioned referring to political violence he attributed to democrats. “Do not make peace with evil.”
Attorney General Pam Bondi, who stood alongside Johnson on the press convention, introduced {that a} George Russell Isbell, Jr., who she says despatched the letter to Johnson’s household, has been charged with a federal crime.
The legal grievance in opposition to Isbell Jr. included a photograph of the letter prosecutors say he despatched to Johnson. The letter refers to Johnson as “Charlie Kirk Jr.” and accused he and his “fellow WHITE MAGA podcasters” of being racists and pedophiles. The creator of the insult-filled letter mentioned that Johnson must be “exterminated” and that they’re “hoping the American flag strangles the life out of you.”
“Maybe someone will blow your head off!!! We can hope” the letter says. “Planning any public engagements?”
NCS couldn’t instantly determine a lawyer for Isbell, Jr., who was arrested on Oct. 7 in San Diego.
Bondi used the press convention to decry political violence and spotlight crimes dedicated in opposition to Democratic and Republican figures, together with Kirk and Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman, who was assassinated in a capturing at her house in June.
Johnson’s feedback come as the administration launches a marketing campaign in opposition to Antifa, a gaggle it says is an existential threat that desires to violently problem the federal authorities and Trump’s supporters.
Last month, Trump designated Antifa as a home terrorist group. And in a meeting on the White House Wednesday, he and high administration officers together with Bondi vowed to make use of the total weight of the federal authorities to convey down Antifa — evaluating it to main gangs and drug cartels.
Antifa is extra of an ideology than an organized nationwide group, as NCS has previously reported. The title is loosely utilized to factions of black-clad leftists or anarchists who present up at protests opposing the police or the federal government, however has additionally been utilized by a number of on the appropriate, together with Trump, as a kind of catch-all reference to any sort of left-wing protest exercise.
Unlike militant far-right teams just like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers, Antifa has by no means had a pacesetter, neither is there a hierarchy or a command construction.
Bondi known as the person arrested for threatening Johnson a “left wing radical,” and vowed to search out “any other person” who threatens violence in opposition to political figures.
“If anyone is sending a threatening communication through the mail like they did to Benny Johnson, we’re going to find them and we’re going to prosecute them,” she mentioned. “It doesn’t matter what side of the aisle you’re on.”