A Pennsylvania man who is reportedly seeking the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate has been arrested after allegedly making violent threats against President Donald Trump and a member of Congress, according to federal authorities.
The FBI confirmed that Raymond Chandler was taken into custody Friday morning in the Pittsburgh area with assistance from the U.S. Secret Service, local outlet WPXI reported. Federal court documents filed in the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania describe several threatening voicemails investigators say Chandler left for lawmakers in recent weeks.
According to the affidavit, Chandler allegedly left a voicemail on April 18 for an unidentified member of Congress in which he referenced a violent scenario involving “1,000 people” attacking the official and their family. Authorities say he linked the remarks to economic inequality and frustrations over wealth concentration in the United States.
Investigators also allege that Chandler left another voicemail on April 29 urging a member of Congress to assassinate President Trump. In the message, according to court filings, Chandler described Trump as “the antichrist” and called for violence against him.
Officials said congressional staff members contacted law enforcement after the messages became increasingly threatening toward Trump, lawmakers, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Hours before his arrest, Chandler reportedly uploaded a campaign video to YouTube announcing plans to challenge Senator John Fetterman in Pennsylvania’s 2028 Senate race. His campaign platform reportedly included progressive policies such as higher taxes on billionaires, expanded social programs, increased regulation of major technology companies, and abolishing ICE.
Separately, federal prosecutors continue pursuing charges against Cole Allen, a California man accused of attempting to assassinate President Trump during the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in Washington, D.C. Prosecutors allege Allen entered the Washington Hilton armed with multiple weapons and intended to target Trump and senior administration officials attending the event.
Allen appeared in federal court last week, where prosecutors requested that he remain in custody pending trial. Authorities say additional charges could be filed as the investigation continues.
