Man arrested for threatening Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers

By Eric Garcia / CQ-Roll Call

WASHINGTON — A New York man has been arrested for threatening House Majority Whip Steve Scalise and House Republican Conference Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers.

Carlos Bayon was arrested on Thursday for making threats across state lines after he left threatening messages for the two members, according to the Buffalo News.

A prosecutor said items that are “very concerning” were found in a search of Bayon’s home.

While authorities did not identify who was threatened, Scalise’s spokeswoman told The Advocate in Louisiana that the congressman was one of the members threatened.

A congressional aide told The Associated Press that McMorris Rodgers, of Washington, was the second Republican threatened.

“Hey listen, this message is for you and the people that sent you there. You are taking ours, we are taking yours. Anytime, anywhere. We know where they are. We are not going to feed them sandwiches, we are going to feed them lead,” Bayon allegedly said in one message to Scalise’s office, according to WKBW.

Scalise, of Louisiana, was shot last year at a Republican practice for the Congressional Baseball Game and suffered serious injuries.

“Scalise is grateful to law enforcement for their actions. He will never forget how their heroism saved his life and those of his colleagues last year,” spokeswoman Lauren Fine said. “As he has said before, there is absolutely no place in our political discourse for violent threats.”

Separately, a New Jersey man was arrested for threatening New Jersey Republican Rep. Chris Smith, KREM2 reported.

Dereal Finklin, 43, is being held at Monmouth County Jail.

Investigators wouldn’t say much about the case, but Smith confirmed to the Asbury Park Press that it was a death threat.

Finklin is scheduled to appear for a detention hearing on Wednesday in front of State Superior Court Judge James J. McGann, according to prosecutor’s office spokesman Christopher Swendeman.