Rep. Maxine Waters has been an outspoken critic of President Donald Trump since he took office. (Photo by Chelsea Guglielmino/Getty Images)
A California man is expected to plead guilty this week after threatening the life of Rep. Maxine Waters (D-Calif) over her outspoken criticism of President Donald Trump.
Anthony Scott Lloyd, 45, was charged with a single count of threatening a U.S. government official and now faces up to 10 years behind bars, The Los Angeles Times reported. He also faces a $250,000 fine for his crimes.
Authorities said Lloyd left a voicemail at Waters’ Capitol Hill office on Oct. 22, referring to the Black congresswoman with a racial slur and anti-gay epithet.
“If you continue to make threats towards the president, you’re going to wind up dead, Maxine, ’cause we’ll kill you,” he reportedly said in the voicemail.
A member of Waters’ staff forwarded the threat to police, who then referred the message to the FBI, according to the newspaper.
Per the original complaint, Lloyd told FBI officials the voicemail was a “spur of the moment” decision after he heard a talk radio report that Waters’ had made critical remarks about the president. He said he never had any intention of actually harming the congresswoman.
Waters has been vocal in her criticism of Trump’s leadership and his capacity to lead the United States. She has called for his impeachment amid claims of collusion between the Trump administration and Russia, and even suggested a “parental advisory” warning for when the president appears on TV due to his inappropriate language.
“After Trump defended white supremacists, targeted Muslims with his travel ban, described Mexicans as rapists and mocked people with disabilities, it’s impossible to believe him when he tries to declare that he wants to bring the country together,” she said. ” … Whenever he appears on television there should be a disclaimer that says ‘this may not be acceptable for children.’ ”
Lloyd is expected to enter his plea deal on Monday, April 16.
