West Palm Beach, Florida – Multiple Democratic members of Congress from Connecticut were targeted by bomb threats on their residences, the lawmakers or their offices confirmed. Among those who reported receiving threats were Sen. Chris Murphy and Reps. Jim Himes, Joe Courtney, John Larson, and Jahana Hayes. Law enforcement officials who responded to the threats found no evidence of explosives on the properties of the lawmakers.
It is unclear at this time whether Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the fifth Democratic House member from Connecticut, and the state’s other Democratic senator were also targeted. The bomb threats against the Democrats occurred shortly after several of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet picks and appointees disclosed that they had received similar threats, along with “swatting attacks,” in which individuals falsely trigger an emergency law enforcement response against a victim.
In response to a bomb threat at his Hartford home, Sen. Murphy’s office revealed that authorities found no legitimate threat. Rep. Hayes was informed by the Wolcott Police Department that a threatening email detailing a pipe bomb in her mailbox was received, however, an investigation conducted by state and federal authorities yielded no explosives.
Rep. Courtney’s Vernon home was a target of a bomb threat while his family was present, according to his office. Rep. Himes was informed of a threat against his home during a Thanksgiving gathering with his family and police from various departments swiftly responded to ensure their safety. He emphasized the importance of peace and civility, denouncing political violence in the country.
Rep. Larson also disclosed that law enforcement officials responded to a bomb threat made against his East Hartford residence. The FBI is currently investigating these incidents in collaboration with other agencies. These threats come in the wake of a contentious election season marred by violence, including an attempted assassination at Trump’s Florida golf course and a gunman opening fire at a rally in Pennsylvania.
Other public figures who reported receiving threats included New York Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s nominee for the ambassador to the United Nations, and former congressman Lee Zeldin, who has been selected to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. These incidents highlight the ongoing concerns surrounding political violence in the United States.