Suffolk County Police on July 6 arrested a man for making a terrorist threats against a campaign worker at Republican Lee Zeldin’s Congressional Campaign Headquarters in Nesconset. Police said the man, Martin Astrof, was arrested after he threatened to kill supporters of Congressman Lee Zeldin and President Donald Trump.
Astrof went to the campaign headquarters of Congressman Zeldin and became irate with a campaign worker. After threatening to kill the campaign worker and other supporters, Astrof backed his car up in an aggressive manner nearly striking the worker.
Astrof later fled the scene and was arrested a short time later in front of his home in Nesconset. Astrof, 75, was charged with Making a Terroristic Threat, a felony, and Reckless Endangerment 2nd Degree.
Astrof was held overnight and arraigned at Court on July 7. The Police reminded that a criminal charge is an accusation and that defendant is presumed innocent until and unless proven guilty.
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Zeldin, who has represented New York’s 1st Congressional district since 2015, in identifying the aggressor as a Democrat said people “should not fear death or serious injury” for backing President Trump and his Representatives.
I presented this flag 2 wks ago from Donato Panico, flown over WTC site & Iraq, to @RealDonaldTrump. A NY-1 Dem today tried to run Donato over w a vehicle & threatened to kill him for backing Pres Trump & I. Ppl shouldn't fear death or serious injury for backing their Pres & Rep. https://t.co/S9lbUlY8We
— Lee Zeldin (@RepLeeZeldin) July 7, 2018
In another tweet Zeldin said “in the US, political scores are settled at the ballot box, not by trying to kill your political opponents,” and spoke in support of his campaign volunteer.
In the US, political scores are settled at the ballot box, not by trying to kill your political opponents. 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. https://t.co/Rh8Ae6MR4x
— Lee Zeldin (@leezeldin) July 7, 2018
Zeldin has represented parts of Long Island since 2015. He said that has received threats since Trump’s election in 2016. He added that Trump’s son, Donald Jr., had reached out to Zeldin to make sure the campaign volunteer was fine.
Zeldin is running for a third term against Democratic challenger Perry Gershon, a former commercial real estate lending executive, in the Long Island district that President Trump won by about 12 points.