WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (AP) — No less than six Democratic members of Congress from Connecticut have been focused by bomb threats on their properties Thursday, the lawmakers or their workplaces mentioned.
Sen. Chris Murphy and all 5 Home members — Reps. Jim Himes, Joe Courtney, John Larson, Jahana Hayes and Rosa DeLauro — reported being the topic of such threats. Police who responded mentioned they discovered no proof of explosives on the lawmakers’ properties.
There was no rapid phrase whether or not Democratic Sen. Richard Blumenthal additionally obtained a risk.
The bomb threats towards Democrats occurred a day after a variety of President-elect Donald Trump ‘s most outstanding Cupboard picks and appointees reported that that they had obtained such threats, in addition to “swatting attacks,” wherein perpetrators provoke an emergency legislation enforcement response towards a sufferer underneath false pretenses.
Murphy’s workplace mentioned his Hartford dwelling was the goal of a bomb risk, “which appears to be part of a coordinated effort involving multiple members of Congress and public figures.” Hartford Police and U.S. Capitol Police decided there was no risk.
DeLauro mentioned in a Thursday night submit on X that the New Haven Police Division’s bomb squad responded to the risk and “determined no bomb was present at our home. I am thankful for their swift response & relieved no one was harmed.”
Courtney’s Vernon dwelling obtained a bomb risk whereas his spouse and youngsters have been there, his workplace mentioned.
Himes mentioned he was instructed of the risk towards his dwelling throughout a Thanksgiving celebration along with his household. The U.S. Capitol Police, and Greenwich and Stamford police departments responded.
Hines prolonged his household’s “utmost gratitude to our local law enforcement officers for their immediate action to ensure our safety.” Echoing different lawmakers who have been threatened, he added: “There is no place for political violence in this country, and I hope that we may all continue through the holiday season with peace and civility.”
Larson additionally mentioned Thursday that East Hartford Police responded to a bomb risk towards his dwelling.
The FBI declined to present particulars on the newest episodes besides to say it’s investigating them in partnership with different businesses.
The threats comply with an election season marked by violence. In July, a gunman opened fireplace at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing him within the ear and killing considered one of his supporters. The Secret Service later thwarted a subsequent assassination try at Trump’s West Palm Seaside, Florida, golf course when an agent noticed the barrel of a gun poking by way of a fringe fence whereas Trump was {golfing}.
Amongst those that obtained threats Wednesday have been New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s choose to function the subsequent ambassador to the United Nations; Matt Gaetz, Trump’s preliminary choose to function lawyer basic; Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, whom Trump selected to guide the Division of Labor, and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin, who has been tapped to guide the Environmental Safety Company.
Related Press author Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.