Increase in Threats Against Public Officials Leads to More Prosecutions

Washington — In July, a Minnesota man, Jeffrey Petersen, posted violent comments under pseudonyms related to infamous mass shootings, threatening a federal judge and members of Congress. He faces 20 counts for making threats against multiple officials, claiming his comments were protected by the First Amendment. The increase in threats against public officials highlights a deteriorating climate of civility, with 564 threats reported against judges in the last fiscal year. U.S. District Judge John Coughenour noted that threats have become more explicit and frequent, reflecting a troubling trend in political discourse.