Earlier this week, Asbury Park Press’ Erik Larsen reported that Dereal Finklin, a 43-year-old registered Democrat from New Jersey, was arrested and charged with making terroristic threats against Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J.
According to the report, Smith has been the target of is being called a credible threat against his life on social media.
Larsen further reported:
Finklin has been held in the Monmouth County Jail in Freehold Township since the weekend. A detention hearing is scheduled for 8 a.m. Wednesday, before state Superior Court Judge James J. McGann, confirmed Christopher Swendeman, a spokesman for the Prosecutor’s Office.
“Not much we can say at this time … other than the story is true,” Swendeman said.
Smith, who represents New Jersey’s 4th Congressional District, which includes portions of Monmouth, Ocean and Mercer counties, is seeking re-election this November.
In an interview with the Asbury Park Press on Wednesday, Smith said the threat –which he confirmed was a death threat – was just the latest incident in a pattern of abuse and harassment that he and his staff have endured over the past five years, as the political discourse in the United States has grown more polarized.
Despite increased surveillance and additional protocols, Smith said that tires on his personal car have been slashed seven times in as many months.
Will this presidential election be the most important in American history?
He further believes there’s a movement underway to intimidate some members of Congress into retiring if their political opposition believes they cannot be defeated fairly at the polls, Larsen added.
“There is a lot of workplace harassment,” he said of the attacks against him and his staff. “I know it’s worked on some (in Congress). … They just got tired of being threatened. Not me. I double down.”
Larsen further reported:
Smith said he may have been targeted because of his socially conservative views – such as his opposition to abortion. Other than that, he said he does not understand the threatening actions because he opposed the repeal of the Affordable Care Act and opposed President Donald Trump’s tax overhaul last year.
His district offices are picketed about once a week. Last year, a man came into the offices and start yelling “fascists” at his constituent services’ staff, he said.
While most of these individuals do not cross a line that leads to criminal prosecution, Smith said recent tragedies have taught all Americans that such behavior cannot be dismissed or taken lightly.
Citing what he called the left’s “unbridled hate,” Smith said he feels as though he deals with online attacks “24/7,” NJ.com reported.
“I’ve never seen it like it’s been the last two years, even before the election, and it went up like a rocket after (the 2016 election),” he added.
As I’ve noted repeatedly since February 2011, liberalism is an ideology of insane bloodthirsty rage and hate. Sadly, leftists prove that assertion correct on just about any given day.
Exit question: Will Maxine Waters repudiate this threat against Smith? We won’t hold our breath.
Related:
- Thanks, Maxine Waters: NY man arrested for threats against GOP Reps. Scalise, McMorris-Rodgers
- Thanks Maxine Waters: Deranged leftist hits car, nearly runs down driver over Trump bumper sticker
- Thanks Maxine Waters: Unhinged leftists threaten daughters of GOP Rep. after CNN report
- More thanks to Maxine Waters: NY Democrat arrested for threatening to kill supporters of GOP Rep., Trump
- Unhinged Maxine Waters: People Should Take to the Streets Screaming ‘For Trump’s Head’
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