The US Capitol constructing in Washington, DC, on November 24, 2024.
Daniel Slim | Afp | Getty Photographs
Most of Connecticut’s congressional delegation stated they have been the topic of bomb threats Thursday at their houses as they have been making ready to rejoice Thanksgiving, though no bombs finally have been discovered.
Democratic Reps. Jim Himes, Jahana Hayes, Joe Courtney and John Larson introduced in written statements that that they had been focused. The workplace of Sen. Chris Murphy, additionally a Democrat, confirmed to NBC Information that he was a goal as properly. CBS’ native affiliate reported earlier Thursday that Murphy acquired the menace.
“On Thanksgiving, Senator Murphy’s dwelling in Hartford was the goal of a bomb menace, which seems to be a part of a coordinated effort involving a number of members of Congress and public figures,” a spokesperson for the senator stated in a press release.
Larson additionally alluded to the threats in opposition to his colleagues, saying in a press release that he was “grateful that my colleagues within the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, who acquired related threats, are additionally protected.”
Hayes stated in a publish to X that she was notified by police Thursday morning that “they acquired a threatening electronic mail stating a pipe bomb had been positioned within the mailbox at my dwelling.” Native and state police who responded to the menace didn’t discover bombs or “explosive supplies,” Hayes stated.
“Presently the investigation is ongoing,” Hayes continued. “I thank regulation enforcement for his or her swift consideration to this matter, their actions show there is no such thing as a place in our nation for political violence.”
Equally, Himes stated in a press release on X that he was notified this morning a couple of bomb menace focusing on his dwelling, although police discovered “no proof of a bomb.”
“There isn’t a place for political violence on this nation, and I hope that we could all proceed by way of the vacation season with peace and civility,” Himes stated in a press release, the place he additionally expressed gratitude for regulation enforcement.
Courtney’s spokesperson stated in a press release that the congressman and his spouse Audrey Courtney “prolong their utmost gratitude to the regulation enforcement officers, whose response ought to sign to perpetrators that some of these threats won’t be tolerated.”
Neither the U.S. Capitol Police nor the FBI instantly responded to NBC Information’ request for remark. Connecticut State Police deferred a request for extra details about the incidents to native police departments that “have been the primary investigators of every menace.”
The Vernon Police Division, which responded to the menace in opposition to Courtney, stated in a press release that “the incident stays underneath investigation and no expenses have been filed right now.”
Chief Edward Stephens of the Wolcott Police Division, which responded to the menace in opposition to Hayes, instructed NBC Information {that a} suspect has not been recognized, however the division is working to hint the e-mail used to ship the menace. Stephens stated his division is coordinating with the state police and different companies.
Different native police departments that responded to the incidents didn’t instantly reply to NBC Information’ requests for remark.
The Capitol Police stated in January that it had investigated greater than 8,000 incidents involving threats to members of Congress final yr, together with “regarding statements and direct threats.”
That quantity was a rise from the yr earlier than, when the company investigated greater than 7,500 threats. The ultimate statistics for 2024 usually are not but obtainable.
The most recent threats to lawmakers come after a number of of President-elect Donald Trump’s deliberate administration officers have been focused with bomb and “swatting” threats on Tuesday and Wednesday.
