Multiple Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut were targeted with bomb threats on Thanksgiving. The...
Multiple Democratic members of the U.S. House of Representatives from Connecticut were targeted with bomb threats on Thanksgiving.
The threats come a day after the Trump transition team announced that several of President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees received bomb threats.
Reps. Joe Courtney (D-CT), Jahana Hayes (D-CT), Jim Himes (D-CT), and John Larson (D-CT) all said in statements that their homes were targeted.
The lawmakers released the following statements:
- Courtney: “Early this morning, Mr. Courtney’s home was targeted with a bomb threat while he and his family were at home to celebrate Thanksgiving. Thanks to the swift and professional response of Vernon Police Chief Marc Petruzzi and Lieutenant Robert Mara, the United States Capitol Police, and the bomb squad, the Courtneys are safe, and there was no evidence found of a bomb on their property. Joe and Audrey extend their utmost gratitude to the law enforcement officers, whose response should signal to perpetrators that these types of threats will not be tolerated.”
- Hayes: “At 7:47am I was notified by Chief Edward Stephens of the Wolcott Police Department that they received a threatening email stating a pipe bomb had been placed in the mailbox at my home. State police, U.S. Capitol Police, and the Sergeant at Arms were immediately notified. The Wolcott Police Department and State Police responded and no bomb or explosive materials were discovered and the scene was cleared. At this time the investigation is ongoing. I thank law enforcement for their swift attention to this matter, their actions demonstrate there is no place in our country for political violence. On this Thanksgiving, I am grateful for my family and loved ones. I plan to spend the day with them and hope you all do the same. May you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.”
- Himes: “This morning, I was notified of a bomb threat targeting my home where I was celebrating Thanksgiving with my family. Thankfully, after a swift and thorough response from the United States Capitol Police, the Greenwich Police Department, and the Stamford Police Department, no evidence of a bomb was found. Mary, Emma, Linley, and I extend our utmost gratitude to our local law enforcement officers for their immediate action to ensure our safety. There is no place for political violence in this country, and I hope that we may all continue through the holiday season with peace and civility.”
- Larson: “Early this morning, East Hartford Police came to my home in response to a bomb threat. The police determined no bomb was present at the property and the Larson family is safe. I would like to thank the East Hartford Police Department for their swift and professional response in ensuring the safety of my family. I am grateful that my colleagues in the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, who received similar threats, are also safe. Thanks again to law enforcement at every level, from local, to state, to federal.”
The threats came after the Trump transition team revealed on Wednesday that several Trump nominees and appointees were targeted “in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them,” according to the transition team.
“These attacks ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting,’” the statement said. “In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action.”
The Trump team said that the “dangerous acts of intimidation and violence will not deter us.”
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Trump’s pick to be U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, said she and her family were targeted by a bomb threat.
“This morning, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, her husband, and their three year old son were driving home to Saratoga County from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence. New York State, County law enforcement, and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism,” Stefanik’s congressional office said in a statement.
“We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7,” Stefanik’s office added. “We want to share our best wishes to the Upstate NY community for a happy and safe Thanksgiving. We are especially grateful to our law enforcement officers and military families who are on duty over the holiday season.”
Others followed with announcements that they, too, had been targeted.
Former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-NY), Trump’s nominee for EPA administrator, said a “pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message.” He added that his family was not at home at the time and said they are working with law enforcement.
Trump’s pick to lead the Agriculture Department, Brooke Rollins, said on X that on Wednesday morning, “we learned that a threat was issued against our home and family.” She also thanked the Fort Worth Police Department for their “swift efforts” and noted that she and her family were safe.
Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR), Trump’s selection to be the next secretary of Labor, said she and her family were targeted by a pipe bomb threat at their Oregon home. The congresswoman also thanked the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office for its “quick response” and said they were safe.
Trump’s nominee to head the Department of Housing and Urban Development, Scott Turner, said his home was targeted by a bomb threat on the eve of Thanksgiving and expressed gratitude to law enforcement for their “swift and professional” response.
Punchbowl News reported former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), Trump’s nominee to be U.S. Attorney General until Gaetz withdrew from consideration last week, received a pipe bomb threat that prompted a bomb squad response in Florida. Fox News reported defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth and CIA director nominee John Ratcliffe also received threats while Bloomberg reported commerce secretary nominee Howard Lutnick’s home in Manhattan received a bomb threat.
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