Florida resident charged for online threats against Alina Habba

Brace yourself for a story straight out of the Wild West of social media, where a Florida man has been indicted for allegedly threatening to harm a prominent conservative figure.

In a disturbing case that underscores the dangers of unchecked online rhetoric, Salvatore Russotto was charged on Friday with making threats to injure and kill Alina Habba, the interim U.S. attorney for New Jersey and a former counselor to President Donald Trump.

The threats, posted online, included the term "86," which law enforcement interprets as a call to "get rid of" someone—a chilling reminder that words can carry deadly intent.

Unpacking the Threats Against Alina Habba

According to the indictment, reviewed by Fox News Digital, Russotto’s posts from May explicitly targeted Habba with violent language, including a call for a "slow, painful death."

Posts attributed to Russotto, such as "86 that b----," paint a grim picture of hostility that has no place in civil discourse. Let's be clear: disagreeing with someone’s politics is one thing, but advocating harm crosses a line that no American should tolerate.

Russotto now faces serious charges, including transmission of an interstate threat to injure and retaliating against a federal law enforcement officer by threat, as announced by Gregory W. Kehoe, interim U.S. attorney for the Middle District of Florida.

Copycat Threats and FBI Resource Strain

This case doesn’t exist in a vacuum; FBI Director Kash Patel has highlighted a troubling rise in copycat threats inspired by reckless online behavior from former officials. It’s a stark warning that digital bravado can spark real-world consequences.

Patel lamented, "Do you know how many agents I’ve had to take offline from chasing down child sex predators, fentanyl traffickers, terrorists?" His frustration is palpable as resources are diverted to address threats that could have been avoided with a little restraint.

Indeed, Patel’s point hits hard: when social media posts turn into credible threats, the FBI must pull agents from critical cases to protect lives, leaving other dangers unchecked. Turns out, actions—or reckless posts—have consequences.

James Comey’s Controversial Social Media Post

Adding fuel to the fire, former FBI Director James Comey is under scrutiny for a now-deleted Instagram post showing seashells arranged as "86 47," captioned, "Cool shell formation."

Comey later claimed, "I didn't realize some folks associate those numbers with violence." While he insists he opposes violence and removed the post, the president, in a May interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier, wasn’t buying the excuse—and frankly, many Americans might raise an eyebrow too.

Social media isn’t a sandbox for cryptic messages, especially when they can be interpreted as threats. Comey’s meeting with Secret Service officials in Washington this month suggests that even high-profile figures aren’t above accountability.

Broader Implications for Online Behavior

Patel didn’t mince words, stating, "Our FBI will not tolerate political violence in any form." His resolve is a reminder that law enforcement stands ready to act, whether the target is a public servant or a private citizen.

The ripple effects of these incidents are undeniable, as an FBI official described the volume of copycat threats as significant, though specifics remain under wraps due to ongoing investigations. It’s a sobering thought that a single post can inspire a wave of hostility, draining resources and endangering lives.

In the end, cases like Russotto’s—and the broader trend of online threats—should serve as a wake-up call to all of us. We can debate policy and politics with passion, but let’s keep the conversation grounded in respect, not violence, before more resources are pulled from protecting the vulnerable to policing the reckless.