Texas woman arrested after threats to Trump judge Tanya Chutkan
Abigail Jo Shry, a 43-year-old woman from Texas, has been charged with making threats to kill a judge presiding over a criminal case involving former US President Donald Trump.
She allegedly contacted the Washington DC court on August 5th, using offensive language towards US District Judge Tanya Chutkan and making threatening remarks. In addition, Ms. Shry reportedly threatened to kill a Democratic member of Congress.
After investigators traced her phone number, she admitted to making the call. During the call, she is said to have stated that the judge was a target and that they wanted to kill her.
She also mentioned a potential threat if Trump was not elected in 2024. The threats extended to all Democrats in Washington DC and the LGBT community.
Ms. Shry allegedly threatened Congresswoman Sheila Jackson Lee, a black Texas Democrat running for mayor of Houston. When federal agents visited her home in Alvin, she claimed she had no intention of carrying out the threats but mentioned concerns if Sheila Jackson Lee visited Alvin.
This incident occurred shortly after a social media post by Trump warning that he would come after those who targeted him. Judge Chutkan had previously advised both sides to avoid inflammatory statements about the case.
Meanwhile, supporters of Trump have disclosed personal information about the Georgia grand jury members involved in indicting him for election interference allegations.
A report by a private investigative organization found social media users had called for violence to be used against them and Fani Willis – the lead prosecutor in the case against the former president.
On Monday, a 98-page indictment was unsealed and claimed Mr. Trump “unlawfully conspired” to change the election outcome while participating in a “criminal enterprise”.
He denies all charges. Ms. Willis has given Mr. Trump and 18 other defendants the opportunity to voluntarily surrender no later than noon on 25 August.
