Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) said Thursday that a man from his district was taken into custody after allegedly making death threats against him, underscoring the rising security concerns facing members of Congress.
In a post on X, Moskowitz wrote: “A constituent of mine has just been arrested in Boca, just a few miles from my house, for threatening my life.” The Democratic lawmaker confirmed the individual was being held at the Palm Beach County Jail and thanked the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for their swift response.
The FDLE has not yet responded to requests for comment. According to the Miami Herald, the threat was delivered via a voicemail left at Moskowitz’s office.
This is not the first time Moskowitz has faced such a threat. In the lead-up to the 2024 election, police arrested 42-year-old John Lapinski after a shooting incident in which no one was hurt. Authorities later discovered a manifesto containing a “target list” of groups to attack based on race or religion, and Moskowitz—who is Jewish—was named.
The news comes just a day after Rep. Keith Self (R-Texas) revealed that he and his family had been the target of an assassination plot. A 17-year-old from McKinney, Texas, was detained earlier this month for allegedly planning to kill Self at an October 17 event, according to WFAA. Self thanked the FBI and local law enforcement for preventing the attack and said his family was safe.
Self linked the threat to his legislative efforts against Islamic extremism and Sharia law, writing on social media: “Preserving our constitutional republic from radical Islam means accepting the costs that come with it—name-calling, threats, and worse.” He added, “Our Founders believed this country was worth the sacrifice. I served 25 years in the military because defending freedom was worth the sacrifice. This only strengthens my resolve. I will not back down.”
The incidents are part of a broader pattern of political violence and intimidation. In recent weeks, dozens of lawmakers from both parties have reported receiving suspicious packages containing unidentified white powder at their district offices. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-S.D.) called the trend “deeply concerning,” adding, “This has no place in our nation. America is better than this.”
Security experts and lawmakers have warned that such threats are becoming more frequent, particularly as political tensions escalate ahead of the midterms. The arrests of individuals accused of threatening elected officials, including a Kansas man charged with threatening to shoot former President Trump, highlight the dangers faced by public figures across the political spectrum.
Moskowitz’s case also echoes threats that have forced other lawmakers to relocate or increase security. As the climate of political hostility persists, lawmakers from both parties are calling for stronger protections and a renewed commitment to civil discourse.
