By Federal authorities arrested a local man Friday after he allegedly left a series of threatening voicemails for a member of Congress, including graphic references to violence against the lawmaker’s family and a call for the assassination of President Donald Trump.
Raymond Eugene Chandler III, of Wilkinsburg in Allegheny County, faces two federal charges: influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official by threatening a family member and by threatening the official, according to court documents, according to reports.
A Pennsylvania Democrat senate candidate Raymond Chandler has been arrested after leaving multiple voicemails threatening to kill Senator John Fetterman’s 13 year old daughter and President Trump.
This is who they are. pic.twitter.com/fH8kK9vBgJ
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FBI Pittsburgh and the U.S. Secret Service executed a raid at a home in the 400 block of Biddle Avenue on Friday afternoon. Agents were seen entering and exiting the residence as law enforcement conducted their investigation.
Chandler made an initial appearance in federal court in Pittsburgh on Friday, where he was advised of the charges. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 8.
According to an unsealed criminal complaint, Chandler left multiple voicemails for an unidentified member of Congress between mid-April and late April 2026. In one message dated April 18, he described a violent hypothetical scenario involving wealthy individuals and their families.
The transcript of that voicemail, as detailed in court documents, reads: “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. 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. 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.”
In a subsequent voicemail, Chandler allegedly urged the congressman to assassinate the president. Court records quote him saying he wanted the official to “walk into the Oval Office” with a firearm.
The full quoted portion states: “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. 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. 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?”
Additional voicemails reportedly included calls for armed resistance against ICE, references to building gallows for the congressman, and statements about purchasing a combat knife out of fear of government retaliation.
Chandler has identified himself online as a candidate for U.S. Senate in Pennsylvania, challenging Sen. John Fetterman in 2028, and has posted content on platforms including YouTube focused on progressive views and wealth redistribution. Law enforcement sources indicated the targeted member of Congress is connected to those political activities, and additional security measures have been implemented for the lawmaker and his family.
The case comes amid heightened concern over threats against public officials. Federal agencies have reported an increase in such incidents in recent years, prompting more rapid enforcement responses.
In a statement, the FBI said: “This morning, FBI Pittsburgh and the U.S. Secret Service arrested Raymond Chandler for threatening to kill federal officials, including President Trump and a member of Congress. The FBI will not tolerate threats of violence and will work tirelessly to protect public officials and all members of our communities. This arrest is a great example of our work with our law enforcement partners at the USSS, the U.S Capitol Police and the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Pennsylvania.”
Chandler remains in federal custody. Authorities have not released additional details about his background beyond his residency and online political activity.
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