Man Turns Himself In After Allegedly Forcing U.S. Congressman Off the Road

A man in Ohio has turned himself in after reportedly threatening U.S. Congressman Max Miller with his vehicle. Feras Hamdan, 36, faced charges of aggravated menacing and ethnic intimidation. He pleaded not guilty.

In a social media post, Miller described how a driver honked loudly and tried to force him off the road. The driver allegedly displayed a Palestinian flag and directed threats at Miller and his family, saying “death to Israel.”

Following Miller’s complaint, police issued a warrant for Hamdan’s arrest. He surrendered shortly after. The incident is currently under investigation by both state and federal agencies, including the U.S. Capitol Police.

Hamdan, a doctor with a private practice, appeared in court where his bond was set at $500,000. He has been ordered to surrender his passport and will return to court on July 8.

Miller, a Marine and Jewish American, expressed his concerns on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing that he refuses to be intimidated by what he described as growing antisemitic violence. He pointed out the troubling rise of political aggression in the U.S., particularly after a recent attack on two Democratic politicians in Minnesota.

This attack, described as politically motivated, resulted in the deaths of State lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband. Another lawmaker, John Hoffman, and his wife were also shot but survived. The alleged perpetrator, Vance Luther Boelter, had a list of potential targets, including several Democratic politicians.

These events highlight a disturbing trend: political violence is becoming more common. According to a 2022 report by the Brennan Center for Justice, nearly half of all voters feel that political violence is justified under certain conditions. This reflects a growing divide in American politics and raises serious concerns for the safety of public officials and their families.

The recent spikes in threats against politicians underline the need for urgent dialogue on political civility and accountability. As the nation navigates through divisive issues, it’s crucial to address not only the immediate threats but also the broader atmosphere of hostility that allows such violence to escalate.

For more insights into political violence trends, you can read the full Brennan Center report here.

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