A Pennsylvania man who declared a run for the U.S. Senate is now facing serious federal charges after the FBI says he made repeated, graphic threats targeting a member of Congress, the lawmaker’s daughter, and President Donald Trump.
Federal prosecutors in the Western District of Pennsylvania charged Raymond Chandler III with threatening a federal official and a family member, as well as attempting to influence or retaliate against a federal official by threat.
According to an FBI criminal complaint, the alleged threats spanned months, from April 2025 through January of this year, and included a series of disturbing voicemails.
In one message, Chandler allegedly painted a violent scenario involving wealthy Americans being surrounded and killed, warning the lawmaker: “You will not escape their wrath.”
Prosecutors say the rhetoric escalated days later.
In a voicemail cited in the complaint, Chandler allegedly urged the member of Congress to assassinate President Trump.
“I want you to walk into the Oval Office with a gun in your hand… and I want you to pull the trigger and I want you to kill him,” the message said, according to court filings.
He allegedly added: “I want you to assassinate the President. That’s what I want you to do.”
The complaint outlines additional messages in which Chandler allegedly referenced purchasing weapons, expressed fear of government action, and voiced support for armed resistance — including statements about a willingness to “personally kill.”
In a January call, prosecutors say he again escalated, declaring that “violence has become necessary” and identifying targets he believed “deserve death,” including the president.
The case comes as Chandler was attempting to build a political profile.
On his campaign website, he promoted a platform centered on “Tax the Billionaires,” along with policies such as abolishing ICE and implementing universal basic income.
He had announced plans to challenge Sen. John Fetterman in the 2028 election.
Federal authorities have not publicly identified the member of Congress targeted in the voicemails.
🚨 Pennsylvania Democrat Senate candidate Raymond Chandler arrested after allegedly leaving voicemails calling for the assassination of President Trump and threatening to kill Sen. John Fetterman and his 13-year-old daughter. pic.twitter.com/nzl3IDImUq
— Brandon Tatum (@TheOfficerTatum) May 4, 2026
A Pennsylvania Democrat senate candidate Raymond Chandler has been arrested after leaving multiple voicemails threatening to kill Senator John Fetterman’s 13 year old daughter and President Trump.
This is who they are. pic.twitter.com/fH8kK9vBgJ
— Right Angle News Network (@Rightanglenews) May 3, 2026
