BREAKING: A man has been arrested in Texas for making chilling terroristic threats against Democratic New York assemblyman and mayoral nominee Zohran Mamdani. This urgent situation underscores serious concerns about the safety of public officials amid escalating hate crimes. Authorities confirm that Jeremy Fistel is facing multiple charges, including making terroristic threats as a hate crime.
The threats, made via voicemail and online messages, were alarming enough to spark a swift investigation. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced the indictment following Fistel’s arraignment on November 19, 2025. He faces a potential sentence of up to 15 years in prison if convicted on the most serious charge.
In a voicemail left for Mamdani on June 18, 2025, Fistel ominously warned, “Go on and start your car. See what happens… Watch your f***ing back every f***ing second till you get the f*** out of America.” Just weeks later, on July 8, he submitted a written message via Mamdani’s website, expressing hopes for the assemblyman’s death in graphic terms.
The atmosphere of fear surrounding public figures has intensified, especially in the wake of recent violence against lawmakers, including the tragic shooting of conservative figure Charlie Kirk earlier this month during a public event in Utah. This incident has reignited the national conversation about the safety of elected officials and the impact of online harassment on civic engagement.
Katz stated, “As alleged, the defendant threatened an elected official with increasingly alarming anti-Muslim messages. We take threats of violence against any office holder extremely seriously.” She thanked law enforcement agencies, including the NYPD, FBI, and US Marshals Service, for their collaborative efforts in this case.
Mamdani’s campaign released a statement emphasizing the broader implications of such threats, noting, “Unfortunately, threats of this nature are all too common — they reflect a climate of hate that has no place in our city.” The assemblyman remains committed to ensuring that New York is a safe haven for all residents, irrespective of their background.
Fistel has pleaded not guilty and is scheduled to return to court on November 19, 2025. As this case develops, it raises critical questions about the protection of public officials and the mechanisms in place to combat hate-fueled violence.
This urgent incident highlights the need for increased vigilance and support for those in public service, as well as a united front against hate and bigotry in political discourse. Stay tuned for further updates as information becomes available.
