Conservative commentator Candace Owens disclosed on social media that the FBI arrested a New Jersey man, Haim Braverman, for allegedly plotting to kill her. The threat surfaced following Owens’ September 2023 debate with Rabbi Shmuley Boteach on Piers Morgan’s show, during which she made contentious remarks about Rabbi Menachem Schneerson. Owens stated that her family faced harassment and threats, prompting FBI involvement.
“My family endured a series of attacks led by deranged Zionists,” Owens wrote on X. She added, “On the 21st of that month, we were contacted by the FBI and informed that their department had ‘apprehended a suspect’ in relation to a crime involving a threat against me.”
Details of the Threat and Legal Proceedings
According to Owens, Braverman expressed his violent intentions in a group chat, posting disturbing messages and images of weapons. He also published a video and audio messages explicitly threatening Owens.
Owens expressed frustration over the lack of transparency from authorities, noting that she only received detailed information months later, after Braverman had already pleaded guilty to transmitting threats in interstate commerce. “Haim Braverman by this time has already pled guilty, and I was not even informed of this group chat or this plan,” Owens wrote.
She also criticized the Department of Justice for not releasing his mugshot and for the apparent removal of Braverman’s social media profiles.
“It seems his socials have been scrubbed from the web,” Owens said. “This photo was provided by the DOJ. Where is his mugshot photo? And who else was in the group chat?”
Braverman is scheduled to be sentenced in September 2025. The case highlights ongoing concerns about online threats and the challenges in addressing them promptly and transparently.