Cops thwart potential plot on South Florida congressman’s life before election, he says
A possible threat on Congressman Jared Moskowitz’s life was thwarted by South Florida police a few days before Tuesday’s election, Moskowitz said. The would-be assassin was found with a manifesto and a list with Moskowitz as the sole target.
On Friday afternoon, Moskowitz posted on X that he was alerted by Margate police, a department within his district, a day before the election that they uncovered a potential plot on his life.
Police released a statement Friday announcing they had apprehended John Lapinski on firearm-related charges, including possessing a gun while being a convicted felon, on Nov. 2. During that arrest, detectives found evidence that he was planning “some type of criminal act.”
Police, who alerted the FBI and ATF and received help from them, did not disclose what the plot was or if it involved Moskowitz.
In Moskowitz’s social-media post, he said the arrested former felon had a rifle, suppressor and body armor. His manifesto had antisemitic rhetoric.
“As someone who was appointed to the Task Force on the Attempted Assassination of Donald J. Trump, I understand the failures and importance of fixing the protection of our current and future Commander-in-Chief and Vice President,” Moskowitz said in the post. “At the same time, I am deeply worried about Congressional member security and the significant lack thereof when we are in the district. Regardless of our political affiliations or differences, we all have families we want to keep safe.”
The Democrat, who represents parts of Broward County and Palm Beach County, won reelection to the District 23 seat on Tuesday, defeating Republican Joe Kaufman. Moskowitz did not immediately respond to a request for comments.
As of Friday night, Lapinski remained in the Broward County Jail.
This story was originally published November 8, 2024 at 9:02 PM.
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