New York man charged with threatening to kill Trump
US authorities have brought criminal charges against a New York man, accusing him of threatening to kill former US President Donald Trump, due to his displeasure with what he saw as Trump's threats to democracy.
Prosecutors said Thomas Wellenki, 72, of Rockaway Beach, New York, threatened to do everything in his power to ensure Trump's death, and once expressed an interest in learning about Secret Service protections for former presidents and their children.
The case was brought as the former Republican president continues to make allegations that widespread voter fraud caused him to lose to Democrat Joe Biden in the presidential election in which he sought a second term in office.
Accusations of threatening to kill, kidnap and inflict bodily harm on Trump have been brought against Welenki.
"Mr. Welenky did not intend to harm anyone," his attorney, Deirdre von Dornom, said in an email. "He was expressing his dismay at what he saw as threats to our democracy by former President Trump."
Lawyers and Trump spokespeople did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Prosecutors said the defendant expressed an interest in killing Trump in July 2020 and in December 2020 during and after Trump's presidency during a number of voluntary contacts with the Congressional Police and Secret Service.
Wellinky allegedly told congressional police in an interview in July 2020 that if Trump lost the election and refused to step down, he would get weapons and kill him.
Prosecutors said Welenky called the Secret Service on about January 4, 2021 and threatened to kill Trump and 12 of his unidentified congressional supporters, and suggested a $350,000 reward.
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