Pennsylvania Democrat Senate Candidate Charged with Death Threats Against Congressman, His Daughter and Trump

A Pennsylvania man faces federal charges after the FBI accused him of making graphic death threats against an unnamed member of Congress, the congressman's daughter and President Donald Trump from April 2025 to January of this year.

A criminal complaint filed by the FBI in the Western District of Pennsylvania charges Raymond Chandler III with influencing, impeding or retaliating against a federal official by threatening a family member and by threatening a federal official. Chandler recently announced his run for U.S. Senate as a Democrat in Pennsylvania for the 2028 election cycle.

He left the first voicemail for the congressman on April 18, 2025, an arrest affidavit states. "Sir, I have, uh, I'm calling this morning ’cause I want you to imagine a scenario. I want you to imagine a scenario where all the 1,200 billionaires in this country, all their properties are surrounded simultaneously by a thousand people," the message began.

"So imagine your house, your daughter’s house, everyone you know and love who is also rich. Imagine every single one of those homes being surrounded by a thousand people," it continued. "Then imagine them all getting a text and then, then suddenly taking out their pocket knives, walking slowly towards your house with 10, you got your 10 guards or whatever against a thousand people, and then they come and they pull you out of your house and they slit your throat and they slit your daughter’s throat and they slit everyone’s throat. That you know, sir, that is the future. It's not a future I want, it's not a future I'm advocating for, but wealth concentration has gotten so bad in this country. The greed has gotten so bad. People are suffering so much, sir, that that is what is in our future. You will not escape their wrath. We must redistribute the wealth away from people like you."

Chandler's campaign website lists "Tax the Billionaires" at the top of 16 priorities. He also calls for abolishing ICE and establishing universal basic income. He aims to unseat Sen. John Fetterman, D-Pa., in 2028.

On April 29, 2025, Chandler called the same congressman and urged him to kill Trump, the affidavit says. "You've probably getting quite used to my voice. Sir, I’m calling this evening because what I want you to do is I want you to take a firearm. I want you to put it in your hand. I want you to walk into the Oval Office. I want you to put that firearm to the President’s head, and I want you to pull the trigger and I want you to kill him," the voicemail said.

"I am petitioning you, Senator for redress of grievances. My redress of grievances is that this president is awful . . . He’s a liar among all liars. He’s a great deceiver. He’s the antichrist. I want you to walk into the Oval Office with a gun in your hand. I want you to put it to his temple, and I want you to pull the trigger," it continued. "That is what I want you to do as my agent. That’s what I want you to do as my elected official. That’s what I am petitioning you to do with my free speech. I want you to kill the President. I want you to assassinate the President. That’s what I want you to do. Now, Senator, are you gonna come after me? Are you going to try me because of my voice and what I said?"

The affidavit cites other voicemails to the congressman, including two on April 28, 2025. In the first, Chandler expressed concern that people would be sent to death camps. He said he recently bought a seven-inch combat knife and a dagger because he feared his government would kill him.

In the second, he voiced support for armed resistance against ICE, along with his willingness to go to war and to "personally kill."

On Jan. 12 of this year, Chandler called the congressman again. He said violence has become necessary and stated his intent to organize armed resistance against ICE. He identified those who deserve death, including President Trump.

Agents arrested Chandler on May 1 in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania. The arrest came less than a week after Cole Allen allegedly tried to rush the ballroom at the Washington Hilton Hotel during the White House Correspondents' Dinner. Trump attended the event with cabinet officials. Prosecutors say Allen sought to kill Trump and administration members.

Allen is the third person charged with attempting to kill Trump. Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at Trump on July 13, 2024, during a campaign rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing his ear. Secret Service agents killed Crooks.

Ryan Routh was convicted in February of trying to assassinate Trump at Trump International Golf Club in Florida in September 2024. He waited on the golf course perimeter until a Secret Service agent spotted him. Routh received a life sentence.

"On May 1, the U.S. Secret Service, in collaboration with the FBI, arrested an individual in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania who allegedly made threatening statements toward federal officials, including President Trump. Threats against our protectees will not be tolerated," the Secret Service told Fox News Digital. "We will continue to work alongside our law enforcement partners to ensure that anyone that threatens to harm the President is held accountable for their actions."

Fox News Digital sought comment from the FBI and White House. It was not immediately clear if Chandler has an attorney.