Four Democratic lawmakers from Connecticut reported being targeted by bomb threats during Thanksgiving, prompting swift law enforcement responses. Representatives Joe Courtney, Jim Himes, John Larson, and Jahana Hayes each issued statements revealing they received the threats over the course of the day. Police found no evidence of explosives at their residences and all lawmakers confirmed their and their families' safety.
The threats coincided with similar incidents targeting some of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet nominees and appointees earlier in the week, including CIA director nominee John Ratcliffe, defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth, and U.N. ambassador nominee Rep. Elise Stefanik. Trump's transition team described those threats as "violent and unAmerican," while law enforcement continues to investigate both sets of incidents.
"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," said Himes, the top Democrat on the House Intelligence Committee. Larson's statement said he was "grateful that my colleagues in the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, who received similar threats, are also safe."
Andrew McCabe, a former FBI deputy director, was asked about the developments and told CNN that he was not surprised by the threats:
"This has become a very, very common aspect of life for really anyone who is in a high profile or even a remotely controversial position. It's been going on for years. They probably know – 90% sure – that these threats that come in are worthless and there's nothing to them, but they can't take the risk of not responding on the off-chance that one real threat gets through"
The FBI addressed the recent incidents, describing them as part of a growing trend of "swatting", a criminal hoax that involves falsely reporting a crime, such as a mass shooting or bomb threat, with the intention of getting police to arrive at a certain location.
Swatting incidents have affected individuals across the political spectrum, including figures such as Special Counsel Jack Smith and Judge Tanya Chutkan, highlighting the ongoing challenges of addressing politically motivated harassment.
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