A Florida man, Salvatore Russotto, 58, has been charged with making threatening online posts against Alina Habba, the acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. Russotto allegedly wished for Habba to die a “slow painful death” and used vulgar language to call for harm to come to her.
The Threats Made Against Alina Habba
According to an indictment announced by Gregory W. Kehoe, interim U.S. Attorney for the Middle District of Florida, Russotto made multiple posts on social media targeting Habba.
The posts included calling her a vulgar term and wishing that someone would “86” her, a slang term often used maliciously to mean “kill.” He also referred to Habba as “useless” and a “traitor” and even wrote, “Death penalty for all traitors,” adding, “I HOPE YOU DIE A PAINFUL DEATH.”
Russotto’s Motivation Remains Unclear
While the posts were threatening and violent, the exact motive behind them is unclear. Habba, a lawyer known for representing President Donald Trump, was specifically targeted, but it’s not entirely clear why Russotto chose to direct his hostility toward her.
Russotto’s actions have raised alarms, with his statements reflecting an increasingly hostile and dangerous political environment.
Connection to National Events
Russotto’s threats come amid heightened political tensions and public attention surrounding political figures. The slang term “86,” which Russotto used in his posts, became widely discussed when former FBI Director James Comey posted on Instagram in May, which some Trump supporters interpreted as a coded message calling for violence against Trump.
This incident led to an investigation by the Department of Homeland Security and the Secret Service. FBI Director Kash Patel condemned Russotto’s actions, citing them as an example of dangerous political violence.
The Legal Consequences
Russotto has been charged with one count of threatening to injure and kill a victim and one count of retaliating against a federal law enforcement officer by threat. These charges are significant, and if convicted, Russotto could face serious penalties, including imprisonment.
FBI’s Stance on Political Violence
FBI Director Kash Patel responded to the threats, denouncing them as part of a growing trend of dangerous political violence. He emphasized the FBI’s commitment to stopping threats against those serving in law enforcement and those working to keep the country safe, reinforcing the idea that such behavior will not be tolerated.
