Just days after Minnesota was rocked by the tragic assassination of a state lawmaker and the attempted murder of another, a political lobbyist has been arrested and charged for allegedly threatening to commit gun violence at the state capitol.
The timing couldn’t be more alarming—and the state is now grappling with both grief and fear.
Lobbyist Accused of Making Chilling Capitol Threats
Jonathan Michael Bohn, 41, a longtime Democratic donor and political lobbyist, was taken into custody on Wednesday after authorities said he made disturbing threats over text.
According to prosecutors, Bohn told someone he was looking forward to bringing a gun to the Capitol and “blow someone’s effing face off.”
Court documents say he also claimed, “After January 6, I bought a pistol.
Today I bought 500 bullets. I can’t wait to shoot one of you mother******* in the face.”
Arrest and Court Appearance Draw Emotional Reaction
The threats were reported by a constituent of Republican Representative Jim Nash, who alerted the authorities.
When officers searched Bohn’s home, they found a firearm and took him into custody.
He appeared in Carver County District Court on Friday, where he reportedly wept as Judge Eric Braaten set his bail at $1 million.
Bohn has also been ordered to stay at least half a mile away from the Minnesota Capitol and to avoid any contact with the person who received his messages.
Bohn’s Attorney Says It Was a Heated Argument, Not a Real Threat
His lawyer, John Lesch, told the court that the comments stemmed from a political argument that escalated emotionally.
Lesch admitted the remarks were inappropriate but argued they weren’t intended to be actual threats.
Apparently, Bohn was deeply upset by a social media post mocking two of his friends—Representative Melissa Hortman and Senator John Hoffman.
Context: A Week of Tragedy in Minnesota Politics
This comes amid a wave of political violence. Just last week, Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed, while Senator Hoffman and his wife were also targeted by the same gunman.
Authorities have charged 57-year-old Vance Boelter, a known Trump supporter, with multiple federal and state offenses, including murder and attempted murder.
Bohn Issues Apology for His Words
Following his arrest, Bohn released a public statement, saying:
“I condemn violence in all its forms… I failed to do that here.
I am profoundly sorry that my words created a distraction during this time of collective mourning.
This moment demands unity, compassion, and reflection — and I am committed to being part of that healing.”
A Career in Advocacy Now on Hold
Bohn served as the public affairs director for the Inter Faculty Organization (IFO), a union representing faculty across Minnesota’s public universities.
He’s been a registered lobbyist since 2015, particularly focused on higher education issues.
The IFO has since placed him on leave. In a statement, IFO President Jenna Chernega emphasized the organization’s commitment to respectful discourse, even in challenging times, and said they are fully cooperating with authorities.
Longtime Political Donor with Ties to Democrats
According to Federal Election Commission records, Bohn has a history of donating to Democratic campaigns.
His contributions include several to ActBlue and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 presidential run.