Brooklyn man arrested after threatening to ‘put a bullet in’ U.S. senator for criticizing Trump

New York Daily News, The (NY)

Dec. 13--Federal prosecutors have charged a Brooklyn man with threatening to "put a bullet" in a U.S. senator because she criticized President Trump on reproductive rights issues -- though the suspect declared Wednesday night he doesn't "think it's that big."

Michael Brogan, 51, was so riled up by an internet video he saw of the senator blasting Trump that he called her D.C. office on Dec. 4 and left a rambling, menacing voice message, prosecutors said.

Federal authorities aren't identifying the lawmaker.

"Not to trivialize it, I wish in retrospect I didn't do it, but I don't think it's that big," Brogan told The Daily News at his Marine Park home Wednesday night.

"I didn't think it was going to come to this," he added. "I wouldn't have done it."

Brogan said he made the call in "the heat of the moment" after watching a clip of the senator online.

"I'm going to put a bullet in ya. When I'm in D.C. and you're there, I got your f---ing mark you stupid b---h," he said, according to a criminal complaint. "You and your constant lambasting of President Trump. Oh, reproductive rights, reproductive rights. You know what? I'm cursing and I'm in sin because of people like you, OK?"

He continued, "If I saw you, I'd snuff your stupid f---ing a--. I'd put a f---ing bullet in you. You watch your a--. If I see you on the streets, I'm gonna f---ing light you up with f---ing bullets."

U.S. Capitol Police agents tracked the call to Brogan's cell number, and reviewed his Facebook page, which referred to his participation in the annual "March for Life" in Washington, D.C.

On Wednesday, agents searched his home and found the phone, the complaint alleges. He admitted to making the call because a video of the senator made him "very angry," though he didn't remember what he said, the complaint alleges.

Brogan was released to house arrest on $50,000 bond, and must wear an ankle monitor.

A sign on Brogan's front door reads "Keep Christ in Christmas," and his front lawn and window were adorned with nativity scenes.

Brogan brushed off comparisons to MAGA bomber suspect Cesar Sayoc, who's accused of sending at least 14 explosive devices to prominent Democrats, including Hillary Clinton and former President Barack Obama.

"I would never do that. I would have done it already. I would never do that, I was just blowing off some steam," he told The News.

Brogan said he was "stunned" when agents showed up at his door Wednesday. "Honestly, if they didn't come I probably would have forgotten about the call altogether," he said. "I reacted the wrong way and I made a call, I shouldn't have done it. I'm sorry."

___

Visit New York Daily News at www.nydailynews.com

Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.