A man from Georgia has been indicted by a federal grand jury for allegedly making serious threats against two Republican senators and their families. Robert Davis Forney, a 25-year-old from Duluth, was arraigned on federal charges related to communicating threats across state lines.
The indictment, which took place in the Northern District of Georgia, accuses Forney of leaving two voicemails on January 9, directed at Senator Ted Cruz from Texas, in which he made threats of sexual violence. In the same week, Forney reportedly called Senator Deb Fischer from Nebraska and left a similar threatening message.
The specific content of these threats has not been disclosed, but both senators’ offices expressed their commitment to handling such dangerous behavior seriously. A spokesperson for Senator Fischer stated that threats against public officials are unfortunately common, and such incidents are promptly reported to law enforcement.
U.S. Attorney Theodore S. Hertzberg emphasized the severity of threatening elected officials, stating that it undermines democratic processes. He added that political disagreements should never justify aggressive or violent actions toward leaders.
The FBI is conducting an investigation into these threats, with involvement from the U.S. Capitol Police, as part of a broader initiative aimed at combatting political violence. Special Agent Paul Brown noted that such actions are treated as serious federal crimes. Political violence has no place in our nation, he asserted, reaffirming law enforcement’s dedication to addressing such threats decisively.
This alarming situation highlights the need for civility in political discourse, reaffirming that all parties should engage in fair debates rather than resorting to threats and intimidation.
