Ohio Man Charged with Threatening to Kill a Member of Congress over Medicaid Cuts
Introduction to the Case
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—.”
Background on Medicaid Cuts
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.
Reaction and Concerns
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 case of Jeffrey Dorsey highlights the intense opposition to Medicaid cuts and the extreme measures some individuals may take to express their dissatisfaction. As the debate over healthcare policy continues, it is essential for lawmakers to consider the potential consequences of their decisions on vulnerable populations. The incident also underscores the need for increased security measures to protect members of Congress and their staff from threats and violence.
FAQs
- Q: Who was charged with threatening to kill a member of Congress?
A: Jeffrey Dorsey, a 60-year-old man from Dayton, Ohio, was charged with interstate communications with a threat to injure. - Q: What prompted the threat?
A: The threat was made in response to proposed cuts to Medicaid. - Q: How did authorities identify the suspect?
A: Authorities 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 current status of the case?
A: Dorsey is in custody awaiting a detention hearing and is charged with interstate communications with a threat to injure.
