Jeffries demands "maximum protection" for members after bomb threats
Source: Axios
6 hours ago
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries' (D-N.Y.) office on Friday called for "maximum protection" for members of Congress and their families in response to a series of bomb threats around Thanksgiving.
Why it matters: Nearly the entire Connecticut congressional delegation faced bomb threats on Thursday following a spate of similar threats targeting Trump administration appointees.
Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-R.I.) said Friday that he had been "recently notified" of a bomb threat targeting him and his family at their home but that there was "no evidence of a bomb on the property."
None of the threats turned out to be credible, according to statements from the lawmakers and appointees, law enforcement and the Trump transition team.
But the incidents still have lawmakers and staffers on edge amid a broad rise in threats against members of Congress in recent years.
What he's saying: "We have been in close communication with the Sergeant at Arms office and it is imperative that Congress provide maximum protection for all Members and their families moving forward," Jeffries' office said in a statement.
The statement said the threats are "unacceptable, unconscionable and have no place in a civilized society," and that House Democrats "will not be deterred or intimidated from serving the people by violent threats."
"All perpetrators of political violence directed at any party must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law," it added.
State of play: Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Reps. Jim Himes (D-Conn.), Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.), John Larson (D-Conn.), Joe Courtney (D-Conn.) and Jahana Hayes (D-Conn.) were all targeted Thursday.
According to Jeffries' office, the incidents "ranged from detailed threats of a pipe bomb placed in mailboxes to swatting," and all were "signed with 'MAGA' at the conclusion of the message."
The Capitol Police declined to offer details about the threats in order to "minimize the risk of copy-cats."
Read more:
https://www.axios.com/2024/11/29/hakeem-jeffries-bomb-threats-connecticut-trump