Pardoned Jan. 6 Rioter Becomes Fugitive After Death Threats

WASHINGTON — Federal authorities have issued an emergency arrest warrant for Christopher P. Moynihan, a January 6 rioter who was previously pardoned by President Trump, after he failed to report to prison and allegedly went on the run following new charges of threatening to kill a federal judge and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.

The U.S. Marshals Service declared Moynihan a fugitive on Thursday, February 19, 2026, after he skipped a mandatory court appearance related to a series of “terroristic threats” sent via text and voicemail.

From Pardon to Fugitive: The Timeline

Moynihan, 34, was originally sentenced to 21 months for his role in the 2021 Capitol attack but was released in early 2025 as part of the President’s mass pardon of over 1,500 Jan. 6 defendants. His return to the legal system began in late 2025:

• The Jeffries Threat (Oct 2025): Moynihan was arrested after texting, “I cannot allow this terrorist to live,” in reference to Hakeem Jeffries. He reportedly added that the Minority Leader “must be eliminated.”
• The Judicial Threat (Feb 2026): While out on bail for the Jeffries case, Moynihan allegedly left a graphic, racially charged voicemail for a federal judge involved in the oversight of Trump-related cases. He reportedly vowed to “carry out the sentence the President was too kind to waive.”
• The Disappearance: Moynihan was ordered to report to a federal holding facility this week pending a mental health evaluation. When he failed to appear, the FBI discovered his Clinton, New York, residence had been vacated.

Feds Warn of “High Risk”

The Department of Justice, now led by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, has characterized Moynihan as “armed and dangerous.” Despite the administration’s policy of pardoning original Jan. 6 offenses, Pirro’s office emphasized that post-pardon violent threats are being prosecuted “to the fullest extent of the law.”

“We take threats against the judiciary with the utmost seriousness. Mr. Moynihan was given a second chance by the President, and he chose to use that freedom to threaten the lives of public servants. He is now a wanted fugitive.” — DOJ Spokesperson, Feb 19, 2026

A Pattern of Recidivism Among Pardon Recipients

Moynihan is one of at least 33 individuals pardoned for Jan. 6 crimes who have since been rearrested for new offenses.

Public Safety Concerns

The “mass pardon” policy continues to be a flashpoint in Washington. House Democrats have cited Moynihan’s flight as proof that the pardons “incentivized further violence.” Conversely, some Trump allies argue that Moynihan is an “isolated case” of mental instability rather than a reflection of the broader group of pardon recipients.