At least five Connecticut Democratic members of Congress were the targets of bomb threats at their homes on Thursday, according to the lawmakers or their offices.
Senator Chris Murphy and Representatives Jim Himes, Joe Courtney, John Larson, and Jahana Hayes all reported receiving such threats. Responding police found no explosives at any of the lawmakers’ residences.
It remains unclear whether Representative Rosa DeLauro, the state’s fifth Democratic House member, and Connecticut’s other Democratic senator received similar threats.
These threats against Democrats occurred one day after several prominent figures associated with President-elect Donald Trump reported receiving bomb threats and “swatting attacks”—false emergency calls designed to trigger a law enforcement response.
Murphy’s office stated that his Hartford home was the target of a bomb threat, described as part of a coordinated campaign against multiple members of Congress and public figures. Hartford Police and the U.S. Capitol Police concluded there was no actual threat.
Hayes reported that Wolcott Police informed her of a threatening email mentioning a pipe bomb placed in her home mailbox. State police, U.S. Capitol Police, and the House Sergeant at Arms were notified; Wolcott and state police responded, finding no bomb or explosives.
Courtney’s office reported a bomb threat at his Vernon home while his wife and children were present.
Himes learned of the threat against his home during a Thanksgiving family gathering. The U.S. Capitol Police, along with Greenwich and Stamford police departments, responded.
Himes expressed his family’s gratitude to law enforcement for their swift action and emphasized that political violence has no place in the country, hoping for a peaceful holiday season.
Larson also confirmed that East Hartford Police responded to a bomb threat targeting his home on Thursday.
The FBI declined to provide details about the incidents, only stating that they are investigating in collaboration with other agencies.
s working with our state and local partners on these matters. No further details of the investigation will be released at this time.”
These threats follow a violent election season. In July, a shooting at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, resulted in a graze wound to Trump and the death of a supporter. The Secret Service later prevented a subsequent assassination attempt at Trump’s West Palm Beach, Florida, golf course.
Those who received threats on Wednesday included New York Representative Elise Stefanik (Trump’s UN ambassador pick), Matt Gaetz (Trump’s initial Attorney General pick), Oregon Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer (Trump’s Labor Department pick), and former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin (Trump’s EPA pick).
—Hussein reported from West Palm Beach, Fla. Associated Press writer Jill Colvin in New York contributed to this report.