Moskowitz faced security threat back in Florida district, he discloses

A “former felon” was arrested with weapons and a “manifesto” threatening Rep. Jared Moskowitz (D-Fla.) back in his home district in southeast Florida, the lawmaker disclosed late Friday.

In a statement posted to the social media site X, Moskowitz said the man had a rifle, suppressor and body armor. He also had a manifesto that included “antisemitic rhetoric” and the Florida Democrat’s name on a “target” list.

“I am deeply worried about Congressional member security and the significant lack thereof when we are in the district,” Moskowitz said. “Regardless of our political affiliations or differences, we all have families we want to keep safe.”

Moskowitz said he found out about the “potential plot on my life” one day before this week’s election, in which he defeated his Republican challenger Joe Kaufman by around five percentage points. He declined to provide further information about the incident, citing the ongoing law enforcement investigation.

The Florida Democrat has gained national attention by going to toe-to-toe with House Republicans in hearings and other venues. House Oversight Committee Chair Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.) even once derisively referred to him as a “smurf” due to the color of the suit he was wearing, a jab Moskowitz has since embraced.