Anti-Trumper Arrested for Threat to Kill Republicans

In the latest in a string of attacks against allies of President Donald Trump, an aggressive Long Island man nearly backed over a campaign worker moments after saying he wanted to kill supporters of the president and Rep. Lee Zeldin, both Republicans.

Martin Astrof, 75, was charged Friday with making a terroristic threat and reckless endangerment. He confronted campaign worker Donato Panico at Zeldin’s campaign headquarters, before aggressively backing up his car and nearly striking Panico before speeding off.

Zeldin has represented parts of Long Island since 2015. He says he’s received threats since Trump’s election.

“In the U.S., political scores are settled at the ballot box, not by trying to kill your political opponents,” he tweeted. “Donato Panico is a great American, supporter of @realDonaldTrump & one of my campaign vols. He shouldn’t have been targeted like this today for his passion & involvement.”

He tweeted on Saturday that Trump’s son, Donald Jr., had reached out to make sure Panico was OK.

The incident comes in the wake of a call by Rep. Maxine Waters for Democrats to “push back” on Trump administration members when they appear in public. “Tell them they’re not welcome anymore, anywhere,” she said.