Politics & Government

Sen. Cory Booker Of NJ On Accused Terrorist’s Hit List: Feds

Presidential candidate Cory Booker of NJ was on the hit list of an accused terrorist, authorities say. He's received threats in the past.

(YouTube / Cory Booker)

NEWARK, NJ — Presidential candidate and U.S. Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey was among several Democratic party members on the hit list of a U.S. Coast Guard lieutenant accused of being a terrorist, authorities said.

Christopher Paul Hasson, a self-proclaimed white nationalist from Silver Spring, Maryland, was arrested on illegal firearm and drug charges on Feb. 15. He’s accused of being a "domestic terrorist" who planned attacks and compiled a hit list of dozens of Democratic lawmakers and journalists, according to court documents.

Among the targets was Booker, the former mayor of Newark, authorities said.

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Booker – who announced he’s running for president in 2020 earlier this month – has seen threats to his life and well-being before.

In October 2018, authorities intercepted a suspicious package addressed to Booker, one of several sent to prominent Democrats and liberal celebrities targeted in an alleged “terror-by-mail plot.” Devices were also mailed to Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, Eric Holder, John Brennan, Maxine Waters, Joe Biden and Robert DeNiro.

Find out what's happening in Newarkfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

In December 2017, Booker and his family received a death threat, prompting police to beef up security at the lawmaker's home in Newark, authorities said.

The exact nature of the threat to Booker, a Democrat senator from New Jersey, was not disclosed in a statement from Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, who has received death threats himself in the past.

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