A Pennsylvania man has been arrested for allegedly posting a “hit list” and online threats against 20 Democratic state lawmakers, along with threatening comments about a Memorial Day operation, authorities said.
Arrest and Charges
Adam G. Berryhill, 42, of Lebanon County, was arrested last Wednesday and charged with making terroristic threats. The Pennsylvania State Police announced the arrest on Tuesday, stating that Berryhill had posted politically violent messages on his X account, including a “hit list” of elected officials and statements about shootings, accompanied by a picture of a firearm and references to a “Memorial Day Operation.”
According to a criminal complaint obtained by NBC10, Berryhill called the lawmakers “communist infiltrators” and said he would first pursue legal avenues, then resort to violence. “I’ll approach every legal avenue and when they all fail I start shootings,” the complaint reads. In other posts, Berryhill disparaged conservatives and described “war” as his “solution” for grievances with the government.
Responses from Officials
Rep. Malcom Kenyatta, one of the targeted lawmakers, condemned the threats. “This is not the first time I’ve had to deal with a credible death threat,” Kenyatta told Spotlight Pennsylvania. “Unfortunately, in our body politic, there seems to be more and more instances of people feeling like it is OK to threaten, or in very tragic scenarios, inflict violence on people with whom they disagree.”
Some legislators claimed they were not informed of the threats until recently. State Sen. Katie Muth, who learned of the arrest through a letter about Berryhill’s court appearances, told Spotlight Pennsylvania: “I think it’s egregious. There is an utter disregard for our existence. … This is wild to me.”
Legal History
Berryhill has a prior criminal record. In 2016, he pleaded guilty to three counts, including making terroristic threats, after allegedly breaking into a bedroom with an axe and threatening to kill the women hiding inside, according to local reports.
The Lebanon County Public Defender’s Office, which represents Berryhill, was contacted by The Independent for comment but did not respond.
Broader Context of Political Violence
The arrest occurs amid heightened tensions for elected officials in Pennsylvania. Multiple individuals have been arrested for threats against Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro, including Cody Balmer, who pleaded guilty to attempted murder and arson for setting fires inside the governor’s residence last year.
Political violence has spiked across the United States in recent years, affecting both parties. High-profile incidents include an alleged anti-Trump shooting plot at the White House Correspondents’ Dinner in April and fatal shootings targeting Democratic state lawmakers in Minnesota last year. According to a September analysis by the Center for Strategic and International Studies, 2025 marked the first time in over 30 years that left-wing terror attacks outnumbered those from the right.
The Pennsylvania State Police stated: “The law enforcement process worked as it should to keep public officials safe, and the individual responsible for the threats is now behind bars. At the time of the threat, PSP notified the law enforcement agencies responsible for the security of the elected officials involved. PSP takes threats against the lives of public officials seriously and will continue to work with members of the General Assembly to ensure the safety of public officials in Pennsylvania.”
