Robert Davis Forney, a 25-year-old man from Duluth, Georgia, was arraigned on Monday for allegedly making threats of sexual violence against Republican Senators Ted Cruz and Deb Fischer. Prosecutors claim Forney left voicemails in January threatening both senators as well as Cruz’s family. His arraignment occurred following an indictment by a federal grand jury in Georgia.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg condemned these threats, stating that political violence against elected officials undermines democracy. He emphasized that political disagreements should never lead to violent or vile attacks against leaders. Similarly, FBI Atlanta Special Agent Paul Brown stressed that there is no place for political violence or threats in America.
This case comes amid a concerning rise in political violence against elected officials. On the same weekend, a Minnesota man was arrested for a fatal shooting linked to politically motivated attacks, which injured Democratic state representatives. U.S. Capitol Police reported an increase in threat assessment cases, documenting nearly 9,500 concerning statements and threats against Congress members, their families, and staff in the past year alone.
In light of these incidents, the Senate is organizing an all-members briefing on security measures for lawmakers to address these growing concerns about safety. Despite the seriousness of the threats, responses from Cruz and Fischer’s offices have yet to be made. The ongoing investigations by U.S. Capitol Police highlight the urgent need to address political violence and ensure the safety of elected officials in current political discourse.
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