Multiple Democratic lawmakers from Connecticut said they were targeted by bomb threats at their homes on Thanksgiving Day.
U.S. Reps. Jim Himes, Jahana Hayes, John Larson and Joe Courtney said they were notified of bomb threats targeting their homes Thursday, but that no devices were found. A spokesperson for Sen. Chris Murphy stated that the legislator received a threat at his home as well, saying the incident “appears to be part of a coordinated effort involving multiple members of Congress and public figures.”
In a statement shared online, Himes said he 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,” Himes said.
He added, “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.”
In her own statement, Hayes said that she was notified by the Wolcott Police Department on Thursday morning “that they received a threatening email stating a pipe bomb had been placed in the mailbox at my home.”
“At this time the investigation is ongoing,” Hayes continued. “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 his website, Larson said that “East Hartford Police came to my home in response to a bomb threat.”
He added, “I am grateful that my colleagues in the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, who received similar threats, are also safe.”
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A spokesperson for Courtney said the congressman’s home was “targeted with a bomb threat while he and his family were at home to celebrate Thanksgiving.”
The Vernon Police Department told the media that the incident involving Courtney is still under investigation and that no charges have been filed.
HuffPost has reached out to Himes, Hayes, Larson, Courtney and Murphy for comment, in addition to the U.S. Capitol Police, Greenwich Police Department, Stamford Police Department, Wolcott Police Department, East Hartford Police Department and Vernon Police Department.
The news comes after Republican President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team said on Wednesday that several of his Cabinet picks and appointees were targeted by bomb threats and so-called swatting — the act of contacting authorities with the false report of an emergency to draw a SWAT team or other serious reaction.
“In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted,” said Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. The FBIconfirmed that it is “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees.”