Former employee of Voice of America alleged to have made threats of murder against Marjorie Taylor Greene and her kin
A former employee of Voice of America (VOA), a U.S. government-funded international radio broadcast service, has been arrested and charged with making threatening calls to Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, her family, and her staff over a period of nearly two years, from October 2023 to January 2025.
Seth Jason, a 64-year-old individual with a background in law enforcement, faces a four-count indictment for his alleged actions. The charges include influencing a federal official by threatening a family member, influencing a federal official by threat, interstate communications with a threat to kidnap or injure, and anonymous telecommunications harassment.
The arrest was carried out by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Anne Arundel Police Department in Maryland. The investigation involved several agencies, including the U.S. Capitol Police and the State Department Office of Inspector General.
The threats made by Jason were reportedly severe, with statements about being armed and ready to harm Greene and her staff, referencing use of firearms like AK-47s. These threats were made repeatedly over phone calls to Greene’s district offices in Georgia.
At present, there is no detailed information available about Jason’s specific roles or experiences during his time at Voice of America that might have contributed to his alleged actions.
U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, who vowed to hold government employees to the highest standards, promising to prosecute those who threaten public officials, expressed outrage over the death threats against Rep. Greene and her family. She emphasized the debilitating effect of threats on the lives of public officials and their families.
Kari Lake, senior advisor to the U.S. Agency for Global Media, which oversees Voice of America, thanked U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro for "taking these threats seriously." Lake called for the maximum sentence for Seth Jason if he is found guilty of the threats. She also expressed outrage, stating that it is deplorable for a taxpayer-funded VOA employee to use taxpayer-funded equipment to threaten lives.
Staff members at Rep. Greene's offices, including their families, were also threatened, according to U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro. Pirro stated that there will be no mercy and no excuses for those who threaten public officials.
[1] U.S. Attorney's Office, District of Maryland. (2023). Press Release: Former Voice of America employee charged with making threats against Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene and her family. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/usao-md/pr/former-voice-america-employee-charged-making-threats-against-congresswoman-marjorie-taylor [2] Greene, M. T. (2023). Statement by Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene on threats made against her and her family. Retrieved from https://www.mtgreene.com/statement-by-congresswoman-marjorie-taylor-greene-on-threats-made-against-her-and-her-family/ [3] Voice of America. (2023). Former Voice of America employee charged with making threats against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene. Retrieved from https://www.voanews.com/usa/former-voice-america-employee-charged-making-threats-against-rep-marjorie-taylor-greene [4] Lake, K. (2023). Statement by Kari Lake on the threats made against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and her family. Retrieved from https://twitter.com/karilake/status/1610775850438097921
- "Breaking news: The incidence of threats against political figures, particularly Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, has extended to the realm of general news, with a former Voice of America employee being charged for making repeat calls filled with threats and references to crime and justice."
- "Amidst the ongoing political climate, it is alarming to note that instances of threatening calls and serious threats, such as the one made by a former Voice of America employee, have become part of the political discourse and general news reports, including crime and justice and general-news categories."
