At least five Democratic members of Congress in Connecticut received bomb threats at their homes Thursday, the lawmakers or their offices said.
Senator Chris Murphy and Representatives Jim Himes, Joe Courtney, John Larson and Jahana Hayes reported that they are the subject of these threats. Responding police said they found no evidence of explosives on the lawmakers’ property.
There was no immediate word on whether Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the state’s fifth Democratic House member, and Connecticut’s other Democratic senators had received threats.
The bomb threats against Democrats followed a series of president-elects Donald Trump The most important selections and appointments of the cabinet were announced he received such threatsas well as “swatting attacks,” in which perpetrators initiate an emergency law enforcement response against a victim with false intentions.
Murphy’s office said his Hartford home was the target of a bomb threat that “appears to be part of a coordinated effort involving several members of Congress and public figures.” Hartford Police and US Capitol Police determined there was no threat.
Hayes said the Wolcott Police Department was notified Thursday morning of a “threatening email stating that a bomb had been placed in the mailbox at my home.” State police, US Capitol Police and the Home Office Sergeant at Arms were notified, Wolcott and state troopers responded “and no bombs or explosives were found.”
Courtney’s Vernon home received a bomb threat while his wife and children were there, his office said.
Himes said he was informed of the threat to his home during a Thanksgiving celebration with his family. U.S. Capitol Police and the Greenwich and Stamford police departments responded.
Hines expressed his family’s “deepest gratitude to our local law enforcement officers for their immediate action to ensure our safety.” Echoing other lawmakers who have been threatened, he added: “There is no place for political violence in this country, and I hope we all continue the holiday season in peace and civility.”
Larson also said that East Hartford Police responded to a bomb threat at her home on Thursday.
The FBI declined to provide details about the latest episodes, except to say they are investigating in cooperation with other agencies.
s working with our state and local partners on these issues. No further details of the investigation will be given at this time.’
Threats after an election season marked by violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing his ear and killing one of his supporters. The Secret Service later foiled a the subsequent attack At Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, an agent saw the barrel of a gun through a perimeter fence while Trump was golfing.
Among those who received threats on Wednesday were Rep. Elise Stefanik of New York, Trump chose him to be the next ambassador to the United Nations; Matt Gaetz, Trump’s initial pick for attorney general; Oregon Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who Trump chose to lead the Department of Laborand former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin, which has been touched To direct the Environmental Protection Agency.
