Just days before the 2024 election, a Philadelphia man was arrested for threatening violence against the Montgomery County Republican Committee in Pennsylvania. This arrest highlights the renewed threat of political violence, with memories of the 2020 unrest casting a long shadow over this election season.
Authorities report that Edward Cieri Jr., 39, made a profanity-laced call to the GOP office in Montgomery County on Saturday, targeting a staffer with threats to “blow it up” and “shoot the place up.” Montgomery County District Attorney Kevin Steele condemned the threats as criminal, stating, “That criminal behavior will not be tolerated in Montgomery County.”
Man Arrested In Montco GOP Office Bomb Threat: DA
Cieri was charged with threatening to place weapons of mass destruction, terroristic threats, and harassment. He was released on $35,000 bail with the condition that stay away from all Republican Committee offices as well as not… pic.twitter.com/Ku5d4dnRNZ
— ❣️Anne❣️ (@USA_Anne711) October 31, 2024
Whitpain Township Police swiftly responded, tracing the call to Cieri’s phone and taking him into custody. The incident comes as the GOP office, shared with Trump campaign staff, remains on high alert due to past threats and even assassination attempts against the former president. GOP Chair Christian Nascimento emphasized that the safety of staffers is a priority, which has led the campaign to shift to remote operations.
Cieri faces charges including Threatening to Place Weapons of Mass Destruction, Terroristic Threats, and Harassment. Bail was set at $35,000, and he has been ordered to avoid all GOP offices and any contact with the staffer. His preliminary hearing is slated for November 14.
This case brings back troubling memories of the violent unrest that affected political offices and campaigns in 2020, with mounting concern that such hostility may return. Law enforcement has pledged to address threats with urgency as they work to ensure a safe election environment.
