DOJ Charges New York Man With Threatening to Kidnap and Kill Donald Trump
The Department of Justice announced that a 72-year-old man from Rockaway Beach, New York faces a federal charge for “knowingly and willfully threaten[ing] to kill, kidnap, and inflict bodily harm upon” former President Donald Trump.
Thomas Welnicki is charged with violating 18 U.S.C. § 879, which makes it a crime to threaten to “kill, kidnap, or inflict bodily harm upon” a former president. The Welnicki is looking at five years in prison of convicted plus possible fines.
Based on what the Department of Justice wrote, Welnicki seems like a troubled man with some screws loose but those can often be the most dangerous. DOJ wrote: “WELNICKI bragged about how easy it was for him to acquire a firearm and added, ‘I don’t want to hurt anyone, but I will stand up to fascism,’” documents continue. “At the end of the interview, WELNICKI stated, ‘I really hope that God takes [Individual-1] out.’”
WELNICKI threatened to kill Individual-1 as well as 12 unnamed representatives and/or senators that he stated he believed “back[ed]” Individual-1.
NEW: Thomas Welnicki, a 72-year-old New Yorker, has been criminally charged after threatening to kill fmr. President Donald Trump.
— Nicole Sganga (@NicoleSganga) January 10, 2022
Court papers show the defendant broadcasted threats to Secret Service's voicemail & bragged to Capitol Police about the ease of acquiring firearms. pic.twitter.com/PgNdDhLGpV
WELNICKI further claimed that there was a $350,000 reward out to kill Individual-1 and the 12 unidentified members of Congress who assisted Individual-1. In the first voicemail, WELNICKI stated, “I am going to do anything I can to take out [Individual-1]. Oh yeah that’s a threat, come and arrest me. I will do anything I can to take out [Individual-1] and his 12 monkeys. . . . If I had the opportunity to do it in Manhattan that would be awesome. . . . Tomorrow [Individual-1] will be in Georgia, maybe I will.”
In the second voicemail, WELNICKI stated, in substance, that he would aid and abet anyone that would shoot Individual-1 and any of the 12 unidentified members of Congress. WELNICKI then stated, “I’m going to Georgia tomorrow, I think [Individual-1] is going to be there. . .
On or about September 24, 2021, WELNICKI called the Secret Service’s New York Field Office from his Cell Phone and inquired about the Secret Service’s protection of former U.S. Presidents, including Individual-1, and their children, and also asked what weapons the Secret Service used.
WELNICKI also asked about how he could arrange a protest at the residence of Individual-1 on Pearl Harbor Day. WELNICKI further stated that he has a legal right to own weapons and has guns and ammunition.
On or about November 8, 2021, WELNICKI called the Secret Service’s New York City Duty Desk at least three times from his Cell Phone.
During each of these calls, he identified himself by name. During the first call, WELNICKI stated that he was a resident of New York City.
He repeatedly referred to Individual-1 as “Hitler” and stated, “I will do everything I can to make sure [Individual-1] is dead.” During the second call, WELNICKI stated, “there is a contract out to kill [Individual-1].”
On or about December 2, 2021, WELNICKI called the Secret Service’s New York City Duty Desk from his Cell Phone.
WELNICKI sought information regarding how to schedule a protest at the residence of Individual-1.
He further stated, “the new Civil war could break out and taking up arms against the government is justified when ballots don’t matter.” He added that he used to own a .22 caliber firearm.
72-year-old Thomas Welnicki has been charged with threatening to kill former President Trump. Secret Service agents arrested Welnicki this morning. He’s expected to make his initial court appearance this afternoon in Brooklyn federal court. pic.twitter.com/kaoHOuvWlT
— Ryan Lucas (@relucasz) January 10, 2022