Election 2024

Democratic Conn. lawmakers hit with Thanksgiving bomb threats against homes, offices


At least five congressional Democrats representing Connecticut had bomb threats called to their homes Thursday — one day after at least 10 of President-elect Donald Trump’s high-profile nominees also were targeted by swatting attempts.

Reps. Joe Courtney, Jahana Hayes, Jim Himes and John Larson, plus Sen. Chris Murphy, were among the latest victims in a list that may grow if other lawmakers confirm they were targets in the Thanksgiving incidents.

It “appears to be part of a coordinated effort involving multiple members of Congress and public figures,” a Murphy spokesperson told Axios.


Democratic incumbent U.S. Rep. Joe Courtney speaks during the 2nd Congressional debate at Eastern Connecticut State University in Willimantic, Conn., Oct. 21, 2010.
Police responded to the threats and reported that they found no evidence of a bomb on the lawmakers’ properties, including Rep. Joe Courtney. AP

The FBI is investigating the bogus reports.

Swatting is a dangerous practice that, in the worst-case situations, can threaten the life and property of targets, particularly if there’s a heavily armed police response.


Rep. John Larson, D-Conn., joined at right by Rep. Earl Blumenauer, D-Ore., questions House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Kevin Brady, R-Texas, on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 6, 2017.
The Dem swatting occurred a day after some of President-elect Donald Trump’s most prominent Cabinet picks and appointees reported that they had also received bomb threats. AP

Former Rep. Zee Zeldin (R-NY), Trump’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, said that the threat involving his home involved a “a pro-Palestinian themed message.”

Other targets on Wednesday included Trump’s UN ambassador-designee Elise Stefanik, commerce secretary-designee Howard Lutnick, attorney general-designee Pam Bondi, incoming White House chief of staff Susie Wiles and defense secretary-designee Pete Hegseth.

The motive behind prior spates of harassing reports has varied — and in some instances, the culprit has been a surprise.

Hundreds of threatening calls including bomb threats were placed to Jewish community centers in 2016 and 2017, creating the perception of rising antisemitism — but the perpetrator ultimately was found to be a Jewish Israeli American teen who said, “I did it out of boredom” and claimed he received online payments to place some threats.



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