• A Texas man, Jeremy Fistel, is charged with making terroristic threats against New York Assembly member Zohran Mamdani.
• Fistel left numerous violent voicemail and written messages between June and July 2025, prompting legal action.
• If convicted, he faces up to 15 years in prison for his threats, which included anti-Muslim rhetoric.

Jeremy Fistel, a 44-year-old man from Texas, has been charged with making terroristic threats against Zohran Mamdani, a New York State Assembly member and mayoral candidate. Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz announced that Fistel allegedly left a series of increasingly alarming messages between June and July 2025, implying that Mamdani should fear for his life and well-being. "The defendant told the assemblyman to go back to Uganda before someone shoots him in the head, to keep an eye on his house and family, to watch his back every second until he leaves America," Katz stated, highlighting the seriousness of the threats involved, which could lead to significant prison time if Fistel is convicted, according to Al Jazeera, The Hill, and ABC News.

Fistel's threats were characterized as hate-fueled, with specific instances cited in court. He allegedly made remarks such as, "You piece of s--- Muslims don’t belong here," and insinuated violent outcomes for Mamdani and his family. The disturbing nature of these communications led the echoing sentiment from authorities who take such threats against public officials very seriously, with prosecutors stating that these actions reflect a broader climate of hate and political violence currently affecting the United States, as reported by Al Jazeera, The Hill, and ABC News.

Following the threats, Mamdani's campaign has taken precautions by enhancing his security, as he is a candidate in New York City's upcoming mayoral race. The campaign expressed gratitude towards law enforcement for the seriousness applied to this matter. "Unfortunately, threats of this nature are all too common—and they reflect a broader climate of hate that has no place in our city," the campaign stated. Amid ongoing discussions about free speech versus hate speech, Fistel's defense attorney claimed the messages offered by Fistel were merely unpleasant expressions, not direct threats. This defense reiterates the contentious boundaries of hate speech and free expression, according to Al Jazeera, The Hill, and ABC News.

Fistel has pleaded not guilty to all charges and was released on bail, set at $30,000. He is due back in court on November 19, where legal proceedings will continue as authorities emphasize the potential legal ramifications for such threats against public servants. The implications of this case might also resonate within the political sphere as tensions around communal safety and political integrity continue to surface, as noted by Al Jazeera, The Hill, and ABC News.