A former Voice of America employee and reserve police officer, Seth Jason, was taken into custody on Thursday. He was charged with making persistent threats to kill Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and her family over almost two years. The United States Capitol Police (USCP) arrested Jason, 64, from Maryland, and he faces a four-count indictment for these alleged threats.
The charges against Jason include threatening a federal official by targeting a family member, making interstate threats to kidnap or injure, and anonymous telecommunications harassment. Authorities confiscated a variety of electronics, including a laptop, several phones, an iPad, and multiple thumb drives. During a press briefing, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stated that the threats were made “repeatedly and continuously” from October 2023 through January this year.
Jason’s threats specifically targeted Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, her family, and her staff members. Pirro revealed that the threats included menacing statements like, “I’m looking forward to your book signing. We are all armed and ready to take care of you.” Such aggressive rhetoric has heightened concerns about the safety of Greene and those close to her.
Making the situation more alarming, Jason, described by Pirro as a “rogue” former federal employee, allegedly used Voice of America control room phones to issue these threats. Rep. Greene expressed her terror over the sustained harassment she endured. “For 15 months, I received terrifying death threats from one individual who worked alarmingly close to my office building,” she shared.
Greene thanked U.S. Attorney Pirro, Senior Advisor Kari Lake, Capitol Police, and the prosecutors for taking the threats seriously and acting decisively. She emphasized that threatening an elected official and their family is not free speech but a crime. “Justice must be served,” Greene asserted, expressing her gratitude for the intervention of law enforcement.
Seth Jason, now retired from Voice of America, had been making threatening calls to Greene’s offices in Dalton and Rome, Georgia. His retirement came after President Donald Trump directed the dismantling of the U.S.’s state-funded media outlet, although a federal judge later reinstated it. Kari Lake, a senior advisor to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, oversees Voice of America.
Lake expressed her disgust at the threats endured by Greene and her staff, especially using taxpayer-funded resources. “I am sickened by what Congresswoman @RepMTG, her staff and their families had to go through,” Lake wrote on social media. She hopes for the maximum sentence if Jason is found guilty and has suggested shutting down Voice of America.
Pirro vowed to hold government employees to high standards, stating no one should live in fear of threats being fulfilled. “The threat to have your family murdered as well as yourself is debilitating,” she said. Her message was clear: threatening a public official will result in severe legal consequences.
U.S. Capitol Police Chief Mike Sullivan noted that the perception of threats against lawmakers has shifted since the tragic killings of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband. The suspect in those murders also allegedly targeted other state officials, highlighting the escalating danger. Sullivan assured that law enforcement is committed to holding accountable those who make such threats.
Jason, who had been a volunteer reserve officer with the Anne Arundel County Police Department, is no longer associated with the agency. A spokesperson confirmed this to Fox News Digital. Pirro clarified that there is no evidence linking Jason to prior swatting incidents reported by Greene.
The case against Jason underscores the severe risks and challenges faced by public officials in the current climate. It highlights the need for vigilance and decisive action by law enforcement to protect elected leaders. The arrest and charges serve as a warning that threats of violence will not be tolerated.
As the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on ensuring justice and safety for Rep. Greene and her family. The broader implications of such threats continue to concern lawmakers and law enforcement alike. The situation calls for continued diligence and a robust response to protect those serving in public office.
Darnell Thompkins is a conservative opinion writer from Atlanta, GA, known for his insightful commentary on politics, culture, and community issues. With a passion for championing traditional values and personal responsibility, Darnell brings a thoughtful Southern perspective to the national conversation. His writing aims to inspire meaningful dialogue and advocate for policies that strengthen families and empower individuals.
