A 25-year-old man from Duluth, Georgia, has been charged with making threats against U.S. Senators Ted Cruz of Texas and Deb Fischer of Nebraska. According to federal prosecutors, Robert Davis Forney was arraigned on Monday (June 16) in Atlanta after a federal grand jury indicted him for allegedly leaving threatening voicemails at the senators’ offices. The threats, which included “sexual violence,” were directed at Senator Fischer on January 10 and Senator Cruz on January 9.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg, who oversees federal prosecutions in north Georgia, condemned the threats, stating, “Threatening our elected officials and their families is an act of violence that undermines our entire democracy.” The FBI and the U.S. Capitol Police are currently investigating the incidents.
The charges against Forney come amid a rise in political violence, with 2024 marking the second consecutive year of record-high violent threats against lawmakers. This increase in hostility has also been noted by congressional staffers, who report receiving more angry calls from the public.
Senator Fischer has not commented on the indictment, and the case highlights ongoing concerns about the safety of elected officials and their families. As the investigation continues, authorities emphasize the importance of maintaining respectful political discourse.
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