Federal authorities charged a Pennsylvania man running for U.S. Senate after investigators said he left violent voicemails threatening President Donald Trump and the family of a member of Congress.
Raymond Eugene Chandler III, of Wilkinsburg, faces two federal counts: threatening the family member of a federal official and threatening a federal official, according to an affidavit filed in U.S. District Court for the Western District of Pennsylvania. The affidavit identifies Trump and a member of Congress as U.S. officials covered under the statute.
The case gives fresh fuel to concerns over violent political rhetoric, a theme The Dallas Express has tracked through previous coverage of alleged threats and assassination attempts involving Trump and federal officials, as well as the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
Federal Complaint Details Voicemails
Federal investigators said Chandler left voicemails for the unnamed member of Congress from April 2025 through April 2026 while identifying himself by name and address. Representatives for the lawmaker gave the FBI “numerous recordings” and raised concerns about what investigators described as “escalating calls for violence,” according to the affidavit.
In one April 18 voicemail, Chandler allegedly described a violent scenario involving the lawmaker and the lawmaker’s daughter, then said, “We must redistribute the wealth away from people like you,” according to the affidavit.
On April 29, Chandler allegedly left another voicemail urging the lawmaker to kill Trump. The affidavit quotes him saying, “I want you to kill the President. I want you to assassinate the President.”
Federal investigators also said Chandler allegedly discussed buying a seven-inch combat knife and dagger, supporting armed resistance against U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement, building gallows to hang the lawmaker, and organizing armed resistance against federal immigration agents.
The FBI Pittsburgh and U.S. Secret Service arrested Chandler on Friday morning in Wilkinsburg, WPXI reported. Chandler made an initial appearance in federal court Friday, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for May 8, WTAE reported.
Campaign Targeted Fetterman Seat
Chandler’s campaign website says he launched a 2028 U.S. Senate campaign in Pennsylvania “to replace John Fetterman.” U.S. Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pennsylvania) won the seat in 2022 and is up for re-election in 2028.
An ActBlue fundraising page tied to Chandler’s campaign was no longer accepting donations as of Sunday. The page identified the fundraiser as “Raymond Chandler, PA-Sen” and linked to Chandler’s campaign website.
A search result for the ActBlue page said donations would be used to “crush John Fetterman in the 2028 democratic primary election.” The live ActBlue page reviewed Sunday no longer displayed that campaign language and instead showed a notice that the fundraiser was not accepting donations.
Chandler’s campaign website listed priorities including “Tax the Billionaires,” “Build Medicare for All,” “Establish Universal Basic Income,” “Abolish ICE,” “Defend Reproductive Freedom,” and “Regulate AI and Big Tech.”
Broader Threat Environment
The Chandler case follows other recent cases and political flashpoints involving alleged threats against Trump.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, federal prosecutors charged Cole Tomas Allen, a 31-year-old California man, on April 27 with attempting to assassinate President Donald Trump after a shooting incident outside the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner in Washington, D.C.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later tied that attack to violent anti-Trump rhetoric, saying critics who compare Trump to Hitler “are fueling this kind of violence.”
The Dallas Express also reported in February that federal prosecutors secured a 10-count indictment against a North Richland Hills man who allegedly posted online threats to assault and murder Trump and federal immigration agents.
Chandler has not been convicted. A criminal complaint contains allegations, and prosecutors must prove the charges in court.
