Over the Thanksgiving holiday, a disturbing series of bomb threats and swatting incidents targeted multiple US lawmakers and Trump administration nominees, prompting a swift and comprehensive investigation by the FBI and the Biden administration. The coordinated attacks, which involved both mailed threats and false reports to law enforcement designed to trigger a heavy police response (known as ‘swatting’), created a climate of fear and uncertainty for the victims and their families.
At least six Democratic House Representatives from Connecticut – Joe Courtney, Jim Himes, John Larson, Jahana Hayes, and others – reported receiving bomb threats on Thursday while celebrating the holiday. Rhode Island Representative Seth Magaziner reported a similar threat on Friday. In each instance, law enforcement responded rapidly but found no explosive devices. The threats, according to House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries, were mailed and bore the signature “MAGA,” suggesting a potential link to supporters of the Make America Great Again movement.
The attacks extended beyond sitting lawmakers. President Trump’s former nominees, Pete Hegseth (Defense Secretary) and Lee Zeldin (Environmental Protection Agency), also fell victim to bomb threats and swatting attempts. The coordinated nature of these threats, targeting both current elected officials and individuals associated with the previous administration, raises significant concerns about the potential for political motivation and the organized nature of the attacks.
President Joe Biden has pledged his administration’s full cooperation with the FBI in investigating these serious incidents. The US Capitol Police released a statement acknowledging their close collaboration with local and federal law enforcement partners to investigate the threats. They emphasized their commitment to protecting ongoing investigations while also aiming to deter copycat attacks by limiting the release of information that could jeopardize the ongoing probes.
CNN sources indicate that law enforcement agencies are actively exploring connections between the threats targeting Congressional Democrats and those targeting Trump administration officials earlier in the week, suggesting a possible orchestrated campaign. The gravity of these attacks cannot be overstated; they represent a serious threat to the safety and security of elected officials, and undermine public trust in the democratic process. The FBI investigation is crucial in determining the full extent of this coordinated effort and bringing those responsible to justice.