A Pennsylvania man, who intends to run against Sen. John Fetterman (D-Pa.) in 2028, was arrested for making politically motivated threats towards President Donald Trump and ICE.
Raymond Eugene Chandler III, 40, of Wilkinsburg was indicted on five counts of influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official or federal law enforcement officer by threat, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced.
Between April 18, 2025, and May 1 this year, Chandler allegedly called members of Congress and left voicemails wanting to speak disagreements with immigration enforcement, armed conflicts and wealth inequality.
According to the indictment, these calls advocated for acts of violence against U.S. officials, their families, ICE agents, and the wealthy.
Chandler allegedly planned to publish personally identifiable information of ICE agents and accused U.S. officials of “violating their covenants with Got, inciting God’s anger. Chandler made implications that he knew where members of Congress lived and described buying bladed weapons, stating, “I am willing to personally kill.”
Chandler allegedly threatened to assault and murder ICE agents, a member of Congress and their daughter, and Trump.
In Chandler’s voicemails he said his plan was to “teach” restaurants how to poison ICE agents. He also wanted to hang a member of Congress and instruct a member of Congress to assassinate the president in the Oval Office.
Chandler announced in February on YouTube that he was running for Congress to replace Fetterman.
His YouTube channel has 132 subscribers as of Tuesday morning.
According to his videos, he grew up in Ohio and lives in Pittsburgh. Chandler also described becoming a Quaker and his call to ministry.
It was determined that Chandler was a safety risk to the community. A journal entry allegedly written by him stated, “I emotionally, politically, and intellectually support violent assaults on ICE agents. I actually support it. This is a very scary place to be.”
He was remanded to prison to await his next steps in the federal case.
Chandler is facing up to 10 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine for each count — 50 years total.
