Introduction to the Incident
Federal authorities this week arrested and charged an Ohio man in connection with threats to kill a member of Congress if they voted for cutting Medicaid.
The alleged caller, identified by the FBI as 60-year-old Jeffrey Dorsey of Dayton, left a nearly 90-second expletive-laden voicemail on at the main line of the lawmaker’s Washington, D.C., office last month, according to a criminal complaint filed in federal court Tuesday. The lawmaker was not named in court documents.
Details of the Threat
“If you vote to take my f—— Medicaid away, I’m gonna cut your f—— head off," the caller allegedly said, according to a transcript of a message from the FBI.
"You’re an embarrassment, and a bag of s— as a man, and I can’t stand you," the caller allegedly added. "So, f— the hell off. But I tell you this, clearly to your brain, if you f— with my Medicaid you’re a dead f—.”
Context of the Threats
President Donald Trump on July 4 signed into law a sweeping GOP domestic policy bill that includes deep cuts to Medicaid. The Senate passed the measure July 1, followed by the House on July 3.
The FBI said the threatening call was made on June 29.
Investigation and Arrest
A staffer for the unnamed lawmaker provided an audio copy of the call to the U.S. Capitol Police, according to the FBI, and authorities traced the phone to Dorsey after obtaining subscriber information from the phone’s service provider.
The FBI said it called the phone associated with the threatening message this week and that the voice of the person who answered resembled that of the voicemail message left with the lawmaker’s office.
Dorsey is in custody as he awaits a detention hearing Friday. He is charged with interstate communications with a threat to injure.
Court documents did not list any attorney information for Dorsey.
Background and Reactions
Information provided by the Ohio Attorney General’s Office revealed that Dorsey was receiving Medicaid services through various providers, according to the FBI.
Vice President JD Vance was in his home state of Ohio on Monday for an event in Canton promoting Trump’s domestic policy bill. Many Democratic lawmakers have said they are worried about how the Medicaid cuts will affect their constituents, and they plan on highlighting them when they talk to voters.
U.S. Capitol Police said in February that the number of threat assessment cases grew for a second consecutive year in 2024, with investigations into 9,474 concerning statements and direct threats against members of Congress, their families and staff members, up from 8,008 the previous year.
Conclusion
The arrest of Jeffrey Dorsey highlights the intense backlash against the recent Medicaid cuts. The incident also underscores the growing concern over threats against members of Congress and the need for heightened security measures. As the political landscape continues to evolve, it is essential to address the root causes of such threats and work towards creating a more civil and respectful discourse.
FAQs
Q: Who was arrested for threatening a member of Congress?
A: Jeffrey Dorsey, a 60-year-old man from Dayton, Ohio, was arrested and charged with interstate communications with a threat to injure.
Q: What was the nature of the threat?
A: Dorsey allegedly left a voicemail threatening to kill a member of Congress if they voted to cut Medicaid.
Q: What is the current status of Dorsey’s case?
A: Dorsey is in custody awaiting a detention hearing and has been charged with interstate communications with a threat to injure.
Q: How did the authorities identify Dorsey?
A: The FBI traced the phone used to make the threatening call to Dorsey after obtaining subscriber information from the phone’s service provider.
Q: What is the context of the Medicaid cuts?
A: The Medicaid cuts are part of a sweeping GOP domestic policy bill signed into law by President Donald Trump on July 4.
