PITTSBURGH, Pa. (WTAJ) — A Wilkinsburg man, who announced earlier this year he would run against Senator John Fetterman in 2028, was arrested for making politically motivated threats towards Trump, ICE and others.

Raymond Eugene Chandler III, 40, was indicted on five counts of influencing, impeding, or retaliating against a federal official or federal law enforcement officer by threat, United States Attorney Troy Rivetti announced.

Between April 18, 2025, and May 1 this year, Chandler allegedly called members of Congress and left voicemails to speak on his disagreements with immigration enforcement, armed conflicts and wealth inequality. According to the indictment, these calls advocated for acts of violence against U.S. officials, their families, ICE agents, and the wealthy.

Chandler allegedly planned to publish personally identifiable information of ICE agents and accused U.S. officials of “violating their covenants with Got, inciting God’s anger. Chandler made implications that he knew where members of Congress lived and described buying bladed weapons, stating, “I am willing to personally kill.”

It was alleged that Chandler threatened to assault and murder ICE agents, a member of Congress and their daughter, and President Trump. Chandler’s voicemails stated his plan to “teach” restaurants how to poison ICE agents and his desire to hang a member of Congress and instruct a member of Congress to assassinate the President in the Oval Office.

Chandler announced in February via his YouTube channel with only 137 subscribers that he was running for Congress to replace current Democratic senator John Fetterman. According to his videos, he grew up in Ohio and lives in Pittsburgh. Chandler also described becoming a Quaker and his call to ministry.

Despite a video posted two weeks ago titled, “No more bloodshed. No more war. Only love. Fun Me,” it was determined that Chandler was a safety risk to the community. A journal entry allegedly written by him stated, “I emotionally, politically, and intellectually support violent assaults on ICE agents. I actually support it. This is a very scary place to be.”

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He was ordered to remain in prison to await his next steps in the federal case. Chandler is facing up to 10 years in prison and up to a $250,000 fine for each count — 50 years total.

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