Michael Lewis of Minneapolis has been indicted for allegedly threatening a United States Congress member, according to an announcement by Acting U.S. Attorney Lisa D. Kirkpatrick. Court documents stated that on March 26, Lewis, aged 52, called the Congress member's office and left a voicemail threatening her life.
"Federal law protects our elected officials from this sort of violent, unhinged, and murderous rhetoric," stated Kirkpatrick. "It is entirely unacceptable. Defendants who attempt to terrorize public officials in this way will face the full weight of federal justice. I am grateful for the diligent and swift work of the FBI to hold this defendant to account."
Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. of FBI Minneapolis commented, "Threatening to kill a member of Congress is not protected speech. It is a federal crime that will be met with immediate and decisive action. No one should be subject to violence for fulfilling their elected duty to represent the American people. The FBI and our partners will investigate such threats thoroughly and hold accountable anyone who threatens the safety of our elected leaders."
Lewis faces charges of one count of threatening to murder a U.S. official and another count of interstate transmission of a threat to injure. His initial appearance in U.S. District Court took place today, and he will remain detained until his arraignment and detention hearing scheduled for April 23, 2025, before Magistrate Judge Dulce J. Foster.
The case is part of an investigation involving the FBI and the U.S. Capitol Police, with Assistant U.S. Attorneys LeeAnn Bell and Andrew Winter prosecuting. It should be noted that an indictment is only an allegation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in court.