A man from Skagit County, Washington, has been sentenced to six months in federal prison for making threats against two U.S. Congress members and their staff. The sentencing took place in U.S. District Court in Seattle, with First Assistant U.S. Attorney Charles Neil Floyd announcing the outcome.
Bradley Whaley, 67, was found to have made several threatening phone calls in March 2025 to congressional offices in Washington, D.C. According to court records, Whaley threatened to kill the congresspeople and their staff members, referenced his second amendment rights, and said he would slit their throats. He left his name and phone number on the voicemails.
U.S. District Judge Jamal N. Whitehead commented at the sentencing hearing: “Mr. Whaley made multiple threatening calls to offices of two U.S. Representatives… This was part of a dangerous pattern that if left unchecked threatens the democratic process.”
Whaley was arrested on March 21, 2025, at his workplace in downtown Seattle. Authorities found a loaded handgun in the center console of his vehicle.
He pleaded guilty on October 31, 2025.
Prosecutors had requested a one-year sentence for Whaley and noted an increase in threats against members of Congress over recent years. They wrote: “… over the last several years, there has been an alarming surge in the number of similar threat cases against members of congress, their families, and staff. The number of threat cases increased from 7,501 cases in 2022, to 8,008 cases in 2023, and to 9,747 cases in 2024, according to the United States Capitol Police. In 2025, the number of threat cases investigated by USCPS jumped to about 14,000.”
In a letter submitted to the court before sentencing, Whaley attributed his actions to heavy alcohol abuse; his attorney stated that he has since completed treatment.
Judge Whitehead also ordered Whaley to serve three years of supervised release after completing his prison term.
The case was investigated by both the U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI and prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorney Rachel Yemini.
