In a troubling sign of how political rhetoric can fuel violence, a Florida man has been indicted for threatening to kill Alina Habba, the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey. Salvatore Russotto, 58, from Orlando, faces multiple federal charges after posting disturbing threats on social media, using the code “86” — a well-known euphemism for “get rid of” or “eliminate.”
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Florida announced the indictment on June 27, 2025. Russotto is charged with threatening to injure and kill a federal official and retaliating against a federal law officer with threats. His online posts were chilling: “A slow painful death for HABBA,” “Eliminate HABBA. 86 Traitor. Death penalty for all traitors,” and “I HOPE YOU DIE A PAINFUL DEATH.”
Even more alarming, additional posts recovered by Fox News Digital included crude insults like “[VICTIM] is a c—” and “86 that b—-,” demonstrating not just anger but a disturbing level of violent intent.
The FBI is taking this case seriously. Director Kash Patel called Russotto a “dangerous copycat,” linking the behavior to a culture of reckless and inflammatory rhetoric encouraged by former federal officials. Patel highlighted how former FBI Director James Comey’s now-deleted social media post — featuring shells arranged in the sand to spell “86 47” (a coded message suggesting the elimination of then-President Trump and former AG Bill Barr) — inspired copycat threats against public servants.
“Do you know how many agents I’ve had to take offline from chasing down child sex predators, fentanyl traffickers, terrorists,” Patel lamented, “because people across this country are treating threats to government officials like jokes — copying dangerous behavior from those who should know better.”
This indictment shines a spotlight on the real-world consequences of the toxic political environment fostered by radical left-wing figures and certain former government officials who promote violent rhetoric and threats as political theater. The fact that individuals feel emboldened to issue such threats against those who uphold the law is a clear sign that political incivility has gone too far.
U.S. Attorney Gregory Kehoe, who announced the charges, underscored the seriousness of the threats while reminding the public that Russotto is presumed innocent until proven guilty. The investigation involved cooperation between the FBI offices in Newark and Tampa, as well as the U.S. Marshals Service, reflecting a coordinated federal response to protect government officials from violent threats.
This case should serve as a wake-up call: reckless rhetoric from influential figures has consequences. When those charged with enforcing the law become targets of violent threats, the rule of law itself is under attack. Americans deserve leaders who promote safety and civility, not encourage dangerous copycats who threaten our democracy and those who defend it.
As this case moves forward, it remains critical that authorities continue to crack down on threats against public servants and hold those accountable who seek to intimidate and silence through violence and fear. The safety of officials like Alina Habba — and ultimately, the security of the nation — depends on it.
