Virginia Man Charged After Allegedly Threatening Kennedy Center President

The Justice Department has charged a Virginia man accused of sending a threatening text message to presidential envoy and Kennedy Center President Richard Grenell.

According to federal prosecutors, Scott Bolger is charged with transmitting threats in interstate commerce and making false statements to investigators. While court documents initially referred to the victim as a federal employee, Grenell later confirmed he was the target of the alleged threat.

The Justice Department says the threat was sent on December 23 using a Google Voice phone number. Investigators were able to identify Bolger after determining his personal phone number was linked as a recovery number for the Google Voice account used to send the message.

Court records state that when law enforcement officers attempted to interview Bolger at his apartment the following day, he denied living there and identified himself using a different name. Investigators later confirmed his identity with building staff, after which Bolger allegedly admitted to searching for Grenell’s phone number online, calling to verify it, and then sending the threatening message.

In a victim statement read aloud in court, Grenell said he believes strongly in free speech, including the right for people to express anger or disagreement over political views. However, he said the alleged actions in this case went far beyond protected expression and crossed into a threat of violence.

Bolger’s attorney declined to comment on the charges. Prosecutors say Bolger could face up to five years in prison if convicted. He remains in custody while awaiting trial.

The case comes amid heightened political tensions surrounding recent changes at the Kennedy Center. Grenell previously served as US ambassador to Germany and as acting director of national intelligence.

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