Thomas Welnicki, 72, was found not guilty after a brief trial in Brooklyn federal court in November, after his defense lawyer argued that he was no danger, just a sad, isolated “crank” who became increasingly frightened by Trump’s actions after he lost the 2020 election.
Thomas Welnicki was accused of making threats that included a statement to the Secret Service: “I will do anything and everything that I can to see that Donald Trump is dead.”
Thomas Welnicki was acquitted of charges he threatened to kill former President Donald Trump. Welnicki was simply sad, drunk and lonely while cooped up in his Queens apartment during the COVID-19 pandemic, and the Secret Service happened to be the only ones to take his calls, his lawyer told the jury.
Thomas Welnicki, 72, is on trial in Brooklyn for making a series of rambling phone calls to the Secret Service throughout 2021, threatening to kill Trump or assist in his murder.