Harry E. Miller of Pittsburg -indicted for sending threatening communications to multiple members of Congress
the indictment alleges that Miller transmitted, in interstate commerce, threats to injure other individuals...to three separate members of Congress stating his desire “to kill members of Congress”
“There is no place for violence in a Civilized Society”
“Threatening to injure members of Congress is a crime, not protected-speech…s the events of the past year show, there are individuals intent on harming our public servants and law enforcement. We will vigorously and proactively investigate, disrupt and prosecute those individuals when they violate federal law." United States Attorney Scott W. Brady
Count One of the Indictment
On August 19, 2019, Miller called U.S. Rep. Kathleen Clark’s Malden, Massachusetts. Miller stated that he was willing to “abolish government by spilling blood by taking out four to five democrats”. which included Rep Clark. Miller went on to state, he would start shooting Black people to keep them in line if he had to and that the congressional staffer was an [expletive] who would also die in his upcoming civil war…”
Count Two of the indictment;
On January 7, 2020, Miller telephoned U.S. Sen. Richard Burr’s Washington, D.C., office. Miller then stated “he was going to put a bullet in Burr’s head”;
Count Three of the indictment
There is an interesting fact tucked in to this count -
Also on January 7, 2020 - Miller made a second call to Senator called Burr’s Washington DC office. As the indictment states Miller’s follow up call to Senator Burr’s office, that call was then transferred to an individual in Tennessee1, at which point Miller told that individual “if he traveled to Washington, D.C., he would be willing to shoot four or five senators in the head and that this statement was not a threat but a promise.”,
The penalty for violating 18 U.S.C. §875(c) is a maximum term of imprisonment of five years.
(c) Whoever transmits in interstate or foreign commerce any communication containing any threat to kidnap any person or any threat to in- jure the person of another, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than five years, or both.
On February 19, 2021 Defendant Miller made his initial appearance before Chief Magistrate Judge Cynthia Reed Eddy.
According to the Conditions of Release (via ECF/PACER , Defendant Miller is required to undergo a mental health evaluation as directed by pretrial services
Remarkably the defendant was released… thereafter the Defendant filed a Motion for extension of time to file a response - link to Order granting the Defendant’s request
TEXT ORDER as to HARRY E. MILLER - Status Conference for counsel only is set for 3/25/2021 at 10:00 AM via Video Conference before Judge Arthur J. Schwab. Signed by Judge Arthur J. Schwab on 2/26/21.
Minute Entry for proceedings held before Judge Arthur J. Schwab: Status Conference as to HARRY E. MILLER held on 3/25/2021: The Court sets a Change of Plea Hearing or Status Conference for 7/22/21 at 11:00 AM
Again the charges are related to Miller’s criminal threats made in 2020 but the point is - threatening any member of Congress or any public servant became entirely too commonplace under the previous administration. I think it is reasonable to say the smashing of norms by the past administration also appeared to smash the common acts of decency. It’s almost like Trump wanted us to “just accept” this kind of brutish and abhorrent behavior. I refuse to allow this to become our “new normal” those who make threats should be immediately rebuked.
Recent Docket Report via ECF or via my public drive - I just think that no matter how much you might “politically” disagree with a duly elected public servant - there is zero room or cause or defense for making numerous threats to members of Congress. That kind of political decency should transcend political party affiliation. At least for me I don’t care if you are a Republican, Democrat or Independent no public servant should face these kinds of vile threats. You don’t like the way your lawmaker is voting, fine - schedule a meeting or attend a town hall to address your grievances but absolutely do not make threats, death threats or threats of bodily harm.
One possible conclusion is this Individual in Tennessee might be a staffer for Senator Burr, who might have been working from home. As many congressional staffers do in light of COVID-19. To be clear that’s a guess on my part.