A staffer for Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez testified that he feared for her safety following death threats from a Queens man charged with inciting violence against lawmakers.
Brendan Hunt, 37, is accused of calling for violence against the congresswoman, Rep. Nancy Pelosi and Sen. Charles Schumer in the wake of the Jan. 6 US Capitol riots, according to Brooklyn federal prosecutors.
“Kill your senators, slaughter them all,” Hunt allegedly titled the 88-second video posted on Jan. 8.
Daniel Bonthius, who works out of Ocasio-Cortez’s Jackson Heights office, testified at the trial that he didn’t learn about the threats until after Hunt’s Jan. 19 bust but was still concerned.
“We have had experiences with people who have already been arrested coming back to our office after the arrest and being additionally threatening,” he said.
Prosecutors played video clips of Hunt’s threats Monday in Brooklyn federal court.
“We have to show up with our guns, and we need to slaughter these motherf–kers,” he is shown saying. “Get your guns, show up to DC, and literally just spray these motherf–kers. That’s the only option.”
Daniel Bonthius testified against Brendan Hunt, who allegedly called for violence against several politicians. YouTubeHunt’s attorneys have argued that he didn’t pose a serious threat, never attempted to obtain firearms and that his violent rants are protected speech. If convicted, he faces up to a decade in prison.
