House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) denounced the recent bomb threats against several Connecticut Democrats as “unacceptable” and maintained House Democrats will not be intimidated from carrying out their jobs.
“America is a democracy. Threats of violence against elected officials are unacceptable, unconscionable and have no place in a civilized society,” Jeffries wrote in a statement Friday. “All perpetrators of political violence directed at any party must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
Multiple members of the Connecticut congressional delegation confirmed they were targeted by bomb threats on their homes on Thanksgiving Day.
The Democrats targeted included Reps. Jim Himes, John B. Larson, Jahana Hayes and Joe Courtney, and Sen. Chris Murphy, according to their offices or local law enforcement.
Jeffries revealed the incidents ranged from threats of a pipe bomb placed in mailboxes to swatting, each of which were signed with “MAGA” at the end of the message.
“MAGA” refers to the Make America Great Again movement behind President-elect Trump, but it was not immediately clear what the messages were referring to. When reached for further comment, U.S. Capitol Police said it could not provide more details about the incidents.
Jeffries’s office and Connecticut State Police directed The Hill to local law enforcement agencies, which did not immediately respond to inquiries.
No devices were found following investigations by local and state enforcement.
Jeffries said House Democrats “will not be deterred or intimidated” from their jobs by violent threats and that his office is in communications with the sergeant-at-arms office.
“It is imperative that Congress provide maximum protection for all Members and their families moving forward,” he wrote.
A White House spokesperson confirmed President Biden was briefed on the incidents Thursday, and the FBI said it was aware of “numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees” and that it was “working with our law enforcement partners.”
Earlier in the week, several of Trump’s appointees and nominees were also targeted by bomb threats, including current Republican House lawmakers Rep. Elise Stefanik (N.Y.), whom Trump named ambassador to the United Nations, and Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (Ore.), his choice for Labor secretary.
