The U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Indiana declined to prosecute a man who threatened to kill an Indiana congressman and his family, according to a letter obtained by ABC News.
Rep. Jim Banks (R-IN) was left threatening messages by Aaron Thompson, who was later sentenced to two years of probation by the local district attorney in Indiana, but the new letter raises questions about why the U.S. Attorney, which normally handles threats to members of Congress, did not prosecute the case.
“Three daughters. Hey, hey, hey, three bullets hey, hey, hey one wife yay. Oh yeah, yeah, we’ll give her two bullets..” Thompson said in one threatening voicemail, according to the letter.
FBI agents visited Thompson’s house, where, according to the letter by Banks and sent to Attorney General Merrick Garland in December, he “admitted he had threatened me and my family with violence because he disagreed with my political beliefs.”
Robert F. Kennedy Department of Justice building in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 12, 2018.
Michael Brochstein/SOPA Images via Getty Images, FILE
“When Capitol Police referred the criminal case against Aaron Thompson to the U.S. Attorney for Northern District of Indiana, they declined to prosecute despite clear evidence that Thompson violated federal law,” Banks wrote.
Banks is running for the open Senate seat in Indiana.
Garland, according to Banks, has made it a priority to prosecute threats to members of Congress and Banks asked why the DOJ didn’t pursue prosecution in his situation when similar threats made against California Rep. Eric Swalwell were prosecuted.
Last week, Attorney General Garland penned an op-ed decrying political violence.
“Disagreements about politics are good for our democracy,” Garland wrote in an opinion piece in the Washington Post. “They are normal. But using conspiracy theories, falsehoods, violence and threats of violence to affect political outcomes is not normal.
A spokesperson for the Congressman says the Justice Department has not responded to Banks’ letter.
The Justice Department has not responded to ABC News request for comment.
A recent letter has surfaced claiming that a US attorney chose not to prosecute a threat made against a congressman. The letter, which was reportedly sent to the Department of Justice, alleges that the threat was made by an individual who expressed a desire to harm the congressman in question.
This revelation has sparked outrage and concern among many, as threats against elected officials are taken very seriously in the United States. The safety and security of those who serve in government positions is of utmost importance, and any threats made against them should be thoroughly investigated and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
The decision by the US attorney not to pursue charges in this case raises questions about the handling of threats against public officials and the accountability of those responsible for ensuring their safety. It is crucial that law enforcement agencies and prosecutors take all threats seriously and take appropriate action to protect those who are targeted.
The letter also highlights the importance of transparency and accountability in the criminal justice system. Citizens have a right to know that their elected officials are being protected and that threats against them are being taken seriously. If there are instances where threats are not being properly addressed, it is essential that these issues are brought to light and addressed promptly.
In response to the letter, the Department of Justice has stated that they take all threats against public officials seriously and will investigate the matter further. It is important that a thorough investigation is conducted to determine the validity of the claims made in the letter and to ensure that appropriate action is taken to address any failures in the handling of the threat.
Overall, this situation serves as a reminder of the importance of protecting those who serve in government positions and the need for accountability in ensuring their safety. Threats against elected officials should never be taken lightly, and those responsible for investigating and prosecuting such threats must do so with diligence and care.
