Most of Connecticut’s congressional delegation and two people from neighboring states said they were targeted by bombers Thursday at their homes as they prepared for Thanksgiving, although no bombs were ultimately found.
Connecticut Democrats Jim Himes, Jahana Hayes, Joe Courtney, John Larson and Rosa DeLauro announced in a written statement that they had been targeted. So did Representatives Seth Moulton of Massachusetts and Seth Magazine of Rhode Island.
Connecticut Sen. Chris Murphy’s office confirmed to NBC News that he was also targeted. CBS’ local affiliate reported earlier Thursday that Murphy had received threats.
Authorities said they were tracking a series of threats against lawmakers that began earlier this week.
“We are working very hard with the FBI,” President Joe Biden told reporters in Nantucket, Massachusetts, where he was celebrating Thanksgiving with his family.
A spokeswoman for Mr. Murphy said the threats against the Hartford senator’s home “appear to be part of a coordinated effort involving multiple members of Congress and public figures.”
The U.S. Capitol Police, which is responsible for protecting members of Congress, is investigating the incident but would not provide further information about potential suspects or a motive, a spokeswoman said.
“We always work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners when a member of Congress is the victim of a ‘swatting’ incident,” said agency spokeswoman Brianna Birch. “To protect the ongoing investigation and minimize the risk of counterfeiting, we are unable to provide further details at this time.”
Larson also alluded to the threat in a statement, saying, “I am grateful that my colleagues in the Connecticut Congressional Delegation who have received similar threats are also safe.”
Ms Hayes told X that she received a threatening email from police on Thursday morning stating that a pipe bomb had been placed in her mailbox. Hayes said local and state police found no bombs or “explosive devices.”
“The investigation is ongoing at this time,” she continued. “We thank law enforcement for their swift response to this matter. Their actions demonstrate that there is no place for political violence in our country.”
Similarly, in a statement to X, Himes said that although police had “no evidence of a bomb,” she was notified on Thursday morning of a bomb threat aimed at her home.
“There is no place for political violence in this country, and I hope we all get through the holiday season in peace and civility,” Himes said in a statement, thanking law enforcement. He also expressed his intention.
A spokesperson for Courtney said in a statement that Courtney and his wife, Audrey Courtney, “express our deepest gratitude to law enforcement officers. Their response shows that this type of intimidation will not be tolerated. It must be shown to the perpetrator.”
DeLauro told X that he had received similar threats as his colleagues and that New Haven police had determined there was no bomb.
“Today, I am grateful for the efforts of local, state, and federal law enforcement to keep me, my colleagues, and our communities safe,” she said.
The FBI has not released information about the investigation, but said it is “working with state and local partners on these matters.”
The Connecticut State Police deferred requesting more information about the incidents to local police “who were the primary investigators of each threat.”
Vernon Police Department, which responded to the threat against Courtney, said in a statement: “The incident remains under investigation and no charges have been filed at this time.”
Wolcott Police Chief Edward Stevens, whose department responded to the threat against Hayes, told NBC News that no suspect has been identified, but that his department is working to trace the email used to send the threat. Ta. Stevens said the department is coordinating with state police and other agencies.
Other local police departments that responded to the incident did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Capitol Police announced in January that it had investigated more than 8,000 incidents involving threats against members of Congress last year, including “related to statements or direct threats.”
This number was up from the previous year, when the agency investigated more than 7,500 threats. Final statistics for 2024 are not yet available.
Several officials in President-elect Donald Trump’s planned administration were the targets of bombings and “bashing” threats on Tuesday and Wednesday.
