House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was a leading figure in Democratic efforts to win congressional approval of a new health care bill. (Photo Credit: Getty Images/File)
(CNN) - (CNN) - A 48-year-old man was arrested Wednesday for allegedly threatening House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, the FBI announced.
The arrest occurred in San Francisco, California, where Pelosi's home district is located, according to FBI spokesman Joseph Schadler. He identified the suspect as Gregory L. Giusti, but no further details were immediately available.
FBI spokeswoman Patti Hansen said charges against the suspect would be revealed at a court hearing Thursday. She declined to provide any further details of the case.
Pelosi is the top Democrat in the U.S. House and was a leading figure in efforts to win congressional approval of sweeping health care legislation.
A statement from Pelosi's office said the arrest occurred "after an investigation into threats against" the speaker. It thanked law enforcement officials and said Pelosi would have no further comment at this time.
Threats against U.S. senators and representatives increased as Congress completed work last month on the health care bill, which was unanimously opposed by Republicans. In addition, conservative activists around the country protested the bill.
Most of the reported threats were against Democrats, though there were some against Republicans.
On Tuesday, the Justice Department announced the arrest of a 64-year-old Washington state resident for allegedly issuing death threats against Democratic Sen. Patty Murray of Washington, who supported the health care bill.
A department statement said the suspect, identified as Charles Alan Wilson of Selah, Washington, made the threats in phone messages to Murray's office between March 22 and April 4.
Wilson allegedly stated that Murray "had a target on her back" and that he wanted to kill her, according to the statement, which said the threats were in response to congressional passage of the new health care bill.
Threatening a federal official is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, the Justice Department statement said.
Updated: 8:09 p.m.
From CNN Politics
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Pelosi betrayed the express desires of the American people; she shouldn't be surprised if some of them are angry.
sign at a tea party "we came unarmed- THIS TIME"
another one read "Water the tree of liberty with BLOOD"
These are threats of violence. Faux Noise Channel with its psychotic accusations are over the top. From FEMA concentration camps to the president is an illegal alien out to destroy America.
Feeding the paranoid delusions of these crazies already on the edge is NOT a good idea.
I think the biggest threat to all these politicians will be when the masses come out to pull the trigger in the poll booth.....will that get us all arressted then?
It should be obvious that if someone makes a death threat that person is not a Republican and is not a Democrat, but a sick person.
FBI agents are doing their jobs! Right on! Keep up the good work!
"Patriots dont attempt to disrupt and dismantle their own Govt or Country"
Really? What exactly were the original patriots doing to a government that was a lot more free than ours?
No doubt this evil witch will now attribute the actions of this wacko with ANY political dissent from the conservatives!
I don't understand why people hate Speaker Pelosi so much, she is just doing her job, she is a Democrat not a Republican so that means she will not be trying to get Republican bills through the house. I think 8 years was enough time to get Republican bills passed, if not I don't know how long you guys need.
Pkm i think about 25 years in marion ill federal pen should do it
Haha, hypocrites. All the Bush hate and threats are okay, but ooh no, don't touch the Kenyan or anyone from his administration or anyone in Congress. If my eyes could roll in the back of my head anymore, I'd be a slot machine.
Whatever your position on issues, become informed and then take your views out in the ballot box. It works. People who threaten anyone, threaten all of us and our democracy.
I can't understand why people are threatening Pelosi. Why? Finally an government administration is doing something for the middle class which has been neglected for years. Give me a break. The woman has balls and people can't stand that.
AND no one from FOX, Tea party or the GOP will take responsibility, for in sighting this angrer
Threats serve no useful purpose; just vote out all socialists (D or R) this November and in 2012.
It's just a matter of time before some one is killed. From all the hate and fear mongering from the right, I think a Democrat will be the first one attacked and probably killed. Lighten up people!
Relax everyone, according to FOX news and my elderly mother...this never happened! So everyone can once again take comfort in the non-combative, truthful, unbiased broadcasts of FOX TV. IT NEVER happened, and the Pope has no idea that child molestation happens in the Catholic church (and takes responsibility for it), the Evangelicals do not hate others because they are gay and the Easter Bunny just came last Sunday because the Lord has risen to save us all from our sins. Praise Jesus!
I am far more fearful of the hateful, violent fringe right then any nuclear Iran. It appears that as the Republican party won't rein in these radicals in their midst, that they agree and/or condon their actions. This seems to show that the Republican party could be helping or be behind some of this for their own reasons. This is a dangerous trend. It means that one of the two ruling parties have become rogue. This November we have a chance of blunting this movement by voting in either more Democrates or more independants. This two party system is broken by all appearances as both parties don't seen to want to play together any more. We need more choices. neither party seems willing to stop their wacos from distroying this country.
I'm shocked they didn't use the term "domestic terrorism" in this article somewhere. Terrorism is the catch-phrase for the 21st century guys. Get your sensationalism right.
How many times do you think someone has said they wanted to kill a politician in the US in a fit of retard rage? I hope they do an investigation and take into account common sense, context and means of actually carrying it out.
I don't know anything about this guy, but I absolutely know that she threatens the hell out of the minority of Americans who pay taxes for the majority of free loaders.
The Brownshirts are on the loose!
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi is an elected official. She is bright, articulate and committed. To threaten anyone with violence is criminal, and to say that "no one likes her" is an absolutely ignorant statement.
What goes around comes around, just voe these commies out of office in November.
Wouldn't it be funny to find out he was a wealthy democrat fed up with high taxes and the government take over of private enterprise. Maybe he was a Doctor too.
Third world here we come
Finally some action is being taken against those who instigate all of this hate in our society. Please, someone tell me when Rush, Sarah, Glenn, ...are scheduled for their arraignments. If it helps to expedite matters, I will be more than happy to make a citizens arrest of each of them.