A 30-year-old New Hampshire man, Tyler Anderson, was arrested for threatening GOP presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy, prompting federal charges.

Who is Tyler Anderson?

Tyler Anderson, a 30-year-old resident of New Hampshire, has been apprehended and charged for making threats against Republican presidential candidate Vivek Ramaswamy. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Hampshire announced the arrest following Anderson’s alarming messages, including explicit threats of violence against Ramaswamy and his supporters.

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The incident unfolded when Anderson responded to a text message from the Ramaswamy campaign regarding an upcoming event in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Anderson’s reply, stating, “Great, another opportunity for me to blow [his] brains out!” and a subsequent message threatening violence, raised immediate concerns. Law enforcement swiftly acted, conducting a search of Anderson’s home on Saturday, where they discovered his phone and the incriminating texts, which had been deleted. The records from Verizon Wireless confirmed that these messages were sent from Anderson’s phone shortly after receiving the campaign notification.

Additional alarming messages were found on Anderson’s phone, directed at an undisclosed candidate on December 6. Anderson, during an interview with the FBI, admitted to sending the threatening texts. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for New Hampshire has charged him with “transmitting in interstate commerce a threat to injure the person of another,” carrying a maximum sentence of five years in prison, three years of supervised release, and a $250,000 fine.

Ramaswamy’s campaign spokesperson, Tricia McLaughlin, expressed gratitude for law enforcement’s swift action and emphasized the ongoing security concerns faced by political figures. Despite the threats, Ramaswamy proceeded with his Portsmouth gathering on Monday morning, accompanied by increased security measures.

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As Anderson awaits his first federal court appearance in Concord, the incident highlights the persisting security threats faced by political figures, emphasizing the need for vigilance and proactive measures to ensure the safety of candidates and their supporters.