West Palm Beach, Florida – Bomb Threats Target Connecticut Democratic Lawmakers
On Thursday, several Democratic members of Congress from Connecticut received bomb threats directed at their homes. The list of targeted lawmakers included Sen. Chris Murphy and five House representatives: Jim Himes, Joe Courtney, John Larson, Jahana Hayes, and Rosa DeLauro.
Authorities quickly responded to the alarming reports. Police discovered no explosives at any of the lawmakers’ properties, assuring everyone involved that they were safe. Sen. Richard Blumenthal, although he did not receive a threat on that day, shared with reporters that he faced a similar situation a few weeks prior. He stated, “Unfortunately, very regrettably, they are part of our life.”
A Coordinated Effort
The bomb threats seemed to be part of a “coordinated effort involving multiple members of Congress and public figures,” according to Murphy’s office. The threats came just one day after numerous Cabinet picks and appointees from President-elect Donald Trump reported similar incidents, which also included “swatting attacks” that falsely draw emergency law enforcement responses.
Murphy indicated that his Hartford home was among those targeted. Local law enforcement, including Hartford Police and U.S. Capitol Police, conducted investigations and confirmed that there was no genuine threat present.
Swift Responses from Law Enforcement
Representative DeLauro also communicated that her home in New Haven was assessed by the bomb squad, which confirmed the absence of any explosives. She expressed her relief in a post on social media, thanking law enforcement for their prompt action. “I am thankful for their swift response & relieved no one was harmed,” she noted.
Rep. Hayes received troubling news from the Wolcott Police Department early on Thursday that a threatening email had been sent to them, claiming a pipe bomb had been placed in her mailbox. Both state police and U.S. Capitol Police quickly sprang into action, ultimately determining that no bomb or explosive materials were found at her home.
In a particularly concerning incident, Rep. Courtney’s family was home in Vernon when his property received a bomb threat. Courtney’s office confirmed this, but thankfully, it turned out to be a false alarm. Jim Himes shared that he learned about the threat directed at his home during a Thanksgiving gathering with family. He expressed deep gratitude to the local law enforcement agencies in Greenwich and Stamford for their quick response to ensure their safety.
Rep. Larson reported also having East Hartford Police respond to a similar threat against his home. The FBI is investigating these recent bomb threats in collaboration with other agencies, but details regarding the incidents remain limited.
Rising Concerns of Political Violence
The threats come after a tense election season that has seen instances of political violence. Earlier in July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Pennsylvania, leaving one supporter dead and wounding Trump. In a separate instance, the Secret Service prevented an assassination attempt when agents spotted what they believed to be a gun aimed at Trump while he was golfing in Florida.
Concerns surrounding political safety continue, as threats were reported to other political figures, including Rep. Elise Stefanik, Matt Gaetz, Lori Chavez-DeRemer, and former Rep. Lee Zeldin, all closely associated with Trump’s administration.
As these threats raise alarms, Connecticut lawmakers have echoed the sentiment that there is “no place for political violence in this country.” In the wake of such incidents, the hope is to move forward through the holiday season with peace and civility.
