Scoop: Security upped for Rep. Jamie Raskin after alleged incident
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Rep. Jamie Raskin attends a rally with fellow House Democrats on the U.S. Capitol steps on Nov. 12. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images
Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-Md.) had his security increased this week after pardoned Jan. 6 defendant Taylor Taranto allegedly showed up near the Maryland congressman's house, Axios has learned.
- Taranto was previously convicted for an incident involving threats against Raskin and former President Obama.
Why it matters: It's the latest in a string of frightening security incidents rattling Democratic lawmakers as members of Congress already face a surge of threats.
- Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said Monday that his offices in New York received multiple bomb threats via emails with the subject line "MAGA."
- A group of House and Senate Democrats who urged military service members to defy illegal orders have also reported a spike in threats since President Trump appeared to call for their executions.
Driving the news: Taranto was spotted by local police near Raskin's home in Takoma Park, Md., early Tuesday morning, probation officer Sean Stallman told a federal district court in Washington, D.C. at an arraignment Thursday.
- Taranto, a Washington state resident, was "living out of his van" while in D.C. and streaming on Rumble as a self-described "independent journalist investigating major crimes," Stallman said.
- Raskin informed his colleagues of the alleged incident the following day, according to a House Democrat familiar with the matter.
- He had his security temporarily increased soon after and was escorted home from votes by the Capitol Police on Wednesday as part of his heightened protection.
The other side: Taranto's lawyer, Carmen Hernandez, told the court he disputes the alleged parole violations that prompted the court hearing.
- She told Axios that she specifically disputes that he was outside Raskin's home, but declined to offer further details.
- Taranto himself declined to comment on the allegations.
Catch up quick: Taranto was indicted in 2023 both for being part of the mob that stormed the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, 2021 and for an incident in June of 2023 in which he was arrested in D.C. for unlawful possession of firearms.
- Taranto had streamed himself making what prosecutors said were threatening statements towards Raskin, Obama, former Vice President Kamala Harris and others.
- As part of the June 2023 incident, Taranto visited an elementary school near Raskin's home and filmed himself saying that he didn't disclose the congressman's address because "I want him all to myself."
- Taranto was pardoned by President Trump for the Jan. 6-related charges and, after pleading guilty to the charges related to the June 2023 incident, was sentenced to time served in October after nearly two years of pretrial detention, plus three years probation.
Raskin, a former Trump impeachment manager and Jan. 6 committee member who now serves as the ranking member of the House Judiciary Committee, has been a top target of Trump supporters and Jan. 6 pardon recipients.
State of play: In addition to showing up near Raskin's home, Taranto was accused by Stallman of failing to check in with his parole officer or participate in mental health treatment, and of consuming a controlled substance in violation of his parole agreement.
- Taranto also alarmed law enforcement by streaming from the parking lot of the Pentagon, according to Stallman and videos viewed by Axios.
- Stallman also alleged that Taranto has a diagnosed mental health condition and failed to verify he was taking his prescribed medication.
- Hernandez denied that Taranto consumed marijuana and said he was undergoing mental health treatment with a provider in Washington state.
Zoom in: Stallman argued for Taranto to return to Washington state under a modified parole agreement in which he would be subject to mandatory drug testing, a medication requirement and a search and seizure for "lethal weaponry."
- Justice Department prosecutor Travis Wolf agreed with the proposed changes to the parole agreement but argued for Taranto to be re-incarcerated.
- "Your behavior is concerning to many, including me," Judge Carl Nichols told Taranto, saying it would be "much healthier" for him and his family to "go home, stay home."
What's next: Taranto said under oath that he will return to Washington state by Friday at noon, will not visit Takoma Park and will check in with his probation officer upon returning home.
- Nichols warned that if Taranto goes back on any of those commitments, he is "absolutely prepared to ... incarcerate" and prosecute him for "contempt or perjury of some kind."
- As part of the agreement, Taranto committed not to return to Washington, D.C., until 2026.
- As they left the courtroom Thursday, Taranto and Hernandez were also informed by Capitol Police officers that he is barred from Capitol grounds for one year.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with additional reporting.
