TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) – U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi visited downtown Tampa on Friday to discuss political violence. At that press conference, Bondi announced the arrest of a San Diego man accused of sending threatening letters to conservative political commentator Benny Johnson in Tampa.
“This was a coward who hid behind a keyboard and thought he could get away with it,” Bondi said.
US Attorney General Pam Bondi Addresses Threat of Political Violence
Authorities said Mr. Bondi was referring to a letter that 69-year-old George Isbell Jr. sent to Mr. Johnson.
It read in part: “Maybe someone will blow your head off!!! We can hope! Are you planning any public activities? I would love to see your head explode and your blood stain the concrete red.”
Mr Bondi warned that those making threats will be found and prosecuted. She also confirmed that this is an issue facing Republicans and Democrats.
“We’re not going to intimidate people this way and get away with it,” Bondi said.
Federal prosecutors said the letter was mailed from California about a week after Johnson’s best friend, Charlie Kirk, was shot and killed.
“The person who wrote me the letter explained why they wanted me dead. I was white, cis, Christian, a Trump supporter. They explained in graphic detail how I would be killed in a field just like Charlie,” Johnson said.
Mr. Johnson then placed the blame on Democrats. Republicans typically refer to this party as the “Democratic Party.”
“Violence has been mainstreamed by the ‘Democrats’. It’s not extremism. It’s the mainstream and we need to do some self-reflection here. This has to stop,” Johnson said.
Florida Democratic Party Chair Nikki Fried said she understands Johnson’s concerns because he also has experience dealing with threats of political violence.
“We will always condemn political violence. There is no place for political violence in American society. There is no place for political violence in our political conversation,” Fried said.
The state party leader also criticized Mr Johnson for pointing fingers at one party.
“It’s also extremely irresponsible to accuse either side of further increasing division in our state at this time. These are things we need to come together and agree on,” Fried said.
The suspect is charged with mailing threatening communications. If convicted, he could be sentenced to up to five years in prison. Isbell’s attorney could not be reached for comment.
