A Virginia man is being held without bond after federal prosecutors accused him of threatening to kill Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell, a case that authorities say underscores the serious consequences of targeting public officials with violent threats.
A federal magistrate judge ordered Scott Bolger detained Tuesday following charges announced by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Eastern District of Virginia. Prosecutors charged Bolger with transmitting threats in interstate commerce and making false statements to federal authorities, according to a Department of Justice press release.
The DOJ said Bolger allegedly used Google Voice, a service that allows users to send text messages from a number other than their primary phone, to send a threatening message to a federal employee. While the initial press release did not name the victim, Fox News later identified the federal employee as Richard Grenell.
Grenell publicly confirmed the threat and praised law enforcement for acting swiftly. In a post on X, he thanked Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan for locating and arresting Bolger.
“I am grateful to Pam Bondi, Kash Patel and Lindsey Halligan for finding this deranged individual and locking him up,” Grenell wrote. “His name is Scott Bolger.”
Federal prosecutors said the threat was explicit and violent. According to court records cited by the Justice Department, the text message sent to the federal employee read: “Step on U Street and get a bullet put between your eyes, loyalist pig skin pussy[.]”
When federal officers went to Bolger’s residence to question him, he allegedly attempted to deceive investigators by giving a false name, identifying himself as “Brian Black,” according to the DOJ. That alleged false statement led to an additional charge.
U.S. Attorney Lindsey Halligan emphasized that threats against public officials will be treated with the utmost seriousness. “Threats of violence are serious crimes with serious consequences,” Halligan said in a statement. “Those who target federal employees should know that we will investigate and prosecute these offenses to the fullest extent of the law.”
The magistrate judge agreed with prosecutors that Bolger should not be released pending trial, ordering him held without bond. If convicted, Bolger faces up to five years in federal prison.
The case comes amid heightened concerns over threats and intimidation directed at public officials and figures associated with high-profile institutions. Grenell, a former diplomat and prominent Trump ally, was recently appointed president of the Kennedy Center following a board shake-up, a move that has drawn both support and criticism.
Law enforcement officials say the arrest sends a clear message that online threats are not protected speech and will be pursued aggressively. Using digital tools or masked phone numbers, prosecutors say, does not shield individuals from accountability.
The Justice Department has not disclosed additional details about Bolger’s background or any possible motive beyond what was contained in the threatening message. The investigation remains ongoing as the case moves forward in federal court.
For now, Bolger remains in custody as prosecutors prepare to pursue the charges. Federal officials stressed that protecting public servants from violence and intimidation remains a top priority, and they warned that anyone who crosses that line should expect swift and serious consequences.
