Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) expressed deep concern on Saturday over the recent threat made against her and U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing former President Trump’s 2020 election case. Jackson Lee called the threat “chilling” and highlighted the impact it has had on her family.
During an interview on CNN, Jackson Lee emphasized her gratitude towards law enforcement for their attention to the matter. The threat came in the form of a threatening call made by Abigail Jo Shry, a Texas woman who allegedly used a racial slur against Judge Chutkan and threatened to kill both her and Jackson Lee.
Court documents reveal that Shry said, “You are in our sights, we want to kill you… If Trump doesn’t get elected in 2024, we are coming to kill you, so tread lightly.” This call occurred shortly after Trump’s federal indictment for his attempts to retain power following the 2020 election, with Chutkan being assigned to his case. The former president has since repeatedly attacked the judge.
Jackson Lee, who recently announced her candidacy for Houston mayor, expressed her shock at the external attack on the judiciary. Referring to Trump’s criticism of Chutkan, she stated, “The former president called her biased and unfair and gave the inference that she would not be handling his case on four counts of conspiracy under the special counsel fairly.”
The congresswoman urged for a de-escalation of tensions in the country and called for active engagement from the former president to prevent further acts of violence. Stressing the importance of law and order, Jackson Lee concluded by emphasizing the need to uphold the Constitution and maintain order within the nation.
The threat against Jackson Lee and Judge Chutkan serves as a reminder of the concerning climate surrounding political and legal processes in the United States. It underscores the need for heightened security measures and a collective effort to address the escalating tension in the country.