A man named Joshua Russell from Ohio was sentenced to two and a half years in prison for making death threats against former Arizona Secretary of State Katie Hobbs in 2022. Russell pleaded guilty to making a threatening interstate communication after leaving a series of voicemails for Hobbs in which he called her a “traitor” and warned that her days were numbered. This comes shortly after another individual was sentenced to three and a half years for making a bomb threat against Hobbs in 2021, who is now the governor of Arizona.
During a news conference on threats to state election workers, the head of the Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force, John Keller, announced that roughly 20 defendants have been charged for engaging in threats to the elections community. Seven federal cases involve out-of-state individuals making threats in Arizona, which has been a focal point for election conspiracy theories following the 2020 election. US Attorney for Arizona Gary Restaino noted a common denominator in these cases, with election denialists announcing intentions to violently punish those they believe have wronged them, often with threats of arrests leading to executions for treason.
US Attorney General Merrick Garland emphasized the consequences of threatening violence against public servants who administer elections in a statement. Garland stated that the right to vote, a cornerstone of democracy, relies on the ability of election workers and officials to perform their duties without fearing for their lives. The Justice Department will continue to aggressively investigate and prosecute those who threaten election workers and officials. The Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force was formed in 2021 and has been actively pursuing cases involving threats to the elections community.
The sentencing of Joshua Russell and another individual for making threats against Katie Hobbs highlights the seriousness of targeting election workers and officials with violence. Threats against those involved in the electoral process not only endanger their lives but also undermine the democratic process. The Justice Department’s efforts to investigate and prosecute individuals who threaten those who administer elections demonstrate a commitment to upholding the integrity of the electoral system. As Arizona continues to be a focal point for election conspiracy theories, it is crucial to protect election workers and officials from threats and violence to ensure the smooth functioning of the democratic process.
The cases involving threats against Katie Hobbs and other election workers serve as a reminder of the challenges faced by those who work to ensure fair and transparent elections. The Justice Department’s Election Threats Task Force has been actively pursuing cases to address threats against the elections community, with several individuals already facing consequences for their actions. By holding accountable those who threaten violence against public servants involved in elections, the Justice Department aims to protect the right to vote and safeguard democracy. Moving forward, it is essential to continue efforts to support and protect election workers and officials from threats and violence to maintain the integrity of the electoral process.
