PITTSBURGH — A Pennsylvania man running as a Democrat for the U.S. Senate has been arrested after federal authorities accused him of making violent threats against President Donald Trump and a member of Congress.
FBI agents, working with the U.S. Secret Service, arrested Raymond Chandler in Pittsburgh, according to an FBI spokesperson. Court documents allege that Chandler left threatening voicemails for a member of Congress, including one message that prosecutors say described violence against the lawmaker and the lawmaker’s family.
In a second voicemail, allegedly left April 29, Chandler reportedly urged a member of Congress to assassinate Trump and referred to the president in highly inflammatory terms. Congressional staff contacted law enforcement as the messages allegedly escalated to threats involving the president, lawmakers and Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
The arrest came hours after Chandler posted a video announcing his campaign for the U.S. Senate. He said he planned to challenge Democratic Sen. John Fetterman in the 2028 primary. His campaign platform reportedly includes higher taxes on billionaires, expanded social programs, increased regulation of major technology companies and the abolition of ICE.
The case comes amid heightened security concerns surrounding threats against political figures.
Separately, federal prosecutors are pursuing charges against Cole Allen, 31, of Torrance, California, in connection with an alleged attempted attack at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner.
According to the Justice Department, Allen allegedly entered the Washington Hilton armed with multiple weapons and attempted to reach the ballroom where Trump, Cabinet officials and journalists were gathered.
Allen faces charges including attempted assassination of the president, discharging a firearm during a crime of violence and transporting a firearm across state lines.
At his initial court appearance, Assistant U.S. Attorney Jocelyn Ballantine asked that Allen remain in custody pending trial, arguing that the allegations warranted preventive detention.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro described the case as an alleged assassination attempt and warned that additional charges could follow as investigators continue examining the incident.
The two cases have renewed attention on threats against elected officials and the security challenges surrounding political events. Both defendants are entitled to the presumption of innocence, and the allegations against them have not been proven in court.
