In the United States, during Thanksgiving celebrations on Thursday, six elected Democrats, including Senator Chris Murphy and five representatives from Connecticut and Rhode Island, were targeted by bomb threats, reports CNN. Law enforcement found no tangible evidence of explosives, and the families of the elected officials involved are safe.
Reps. Joe Courtney, Jim Himes, John Larson, Jahana Hayes and Seth Magaziner reported specific threats, some of which involved warnings about pipe bombs placed in mailboxes. In a statement carried by CNN, Senator Chris Murphy described these actions as a “coordinated initiative targeting multiple members of Congress and public figures.”
Denunciation of these threats
Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries strongly denounced these threats, calling them “unacceptable, inconceivable and having no place in a civilized society” indicates CNN. He also clarified that some threatening messages were signed “MAGA”. Authorities are investigating a possible link to similar threats made to members of Donald Trump's incoming administration earlier in the week, although no common ideology has been identified so far.
According to Andrew McCabe, former deputy director of the FBI, this type of threat has become a common reality for public figures. “They probably know – 90% – that these threats are baseless, but they can't take the risk of not intervening in the event that a real threat materializes,” he told CNN.
Also cases of “swatting”
The incidents also included instances of “swatting,” a practice of falsely reporting a serious crime to provoke police intervention. Capitol Police confirmed they are working in conjunction with local and federal law enforcement.
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The Capitol Police, however, declined to provide further details to protect ongoing investigations and avoid copycats. The FBI, for its part, reiterated that it takes all threats seriously and encourages the public to report any suspicious activity.
