WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) – At least six Democratic members of Congress from Connecticut were targeted with bomb threats to their homes Thursday, their lawmakers or their offices announced.
Sen. Chris Murphy and all five members of the House of Representatives (Jim Hymes, Joe Courtney, John Larson, Jahana Hayes, and Rosa DeLauro) reported being the subject of such threats. Responding police said they found no trace of explosives on the deputies’ property.
It was not immediately clear whether Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal also received threats.
Bomb threats against Democrats come as many of President-elect Donald Trump’s most likely cabinet nominees and appointees have received such threats or “swatting attacks” in which perpetrators trigger an emergency response by law enforcement. It happened the day after I reported it. to the victim under false pretenses.
Murphy’s office said his Hartford home was the target of a bomb threat that “appears to be part of a coordinated effort involving multiple members of Congress and public figures.” Hartford police and U.S. Capitol Police determined there was no threat.
In a post on X Thursday night, DeLauro said the New Haven Police Department’s bomb squad responded to the threat and “determined there was no bomb in our home.” We are grateful for their quick response and are relieved that no one was harmed. ”
Hayes said she received a call Thursday morning from the Wolcott Police Department saying she had received a “threatening email stating that a pipe bomb had been placed in my mailbox.” State Police, U.S. Capitol Police and the House Sergeant at Arms were alerted, and Wolcott and state police responded, saying “no bombs or explosives were found.”
Courtney’s office said Vernon received a bomb threat while his wife and children were at his home.
Himes said he was celebrating Thanksgiving with his family when he was informed of the threat to his home. U.S. Capitol Police, Greenwich Police, and Stamford Police responded.
Hines told his family he would like to “express our utmost gratitude to the local law enforcement officers who took immediate action to ensure our safety.” Echoing other members of Congress who have received threats, he added: “There is no place for political violence in this country. I hope we can all get through the holiday season in peace and civility.” Ta.
Larson also said East Hartford police responded to a bomb threat to his home Thursday.
The FBI did not provide details about the latest case, other than to say it was working with other agencies on the investigation.
The threat followed an election season marked by violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing Trump’s ear and killing one supporter. Later, the Secret Service thwarted a subsequent assassination attempt at President Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, where agents spotted the muzzle of a gun piercing the perimeter fence while Trump was golfing.
Among those threatened Wednesday was New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, whom President Trump has nominated to be the next ambassador to the United Nations. Matt Gaetz was President Trump’s first nominee for attorney general. They are Lori Chavez Delemer, a congresswoman from Oregon who was chosen by President Trump to be secretary of the Department of Labor, and former congressman Lee Zeldin from New York, who was selected to head the Environmental Protection Agency.
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