House Minority Leader Requests ‘Maximum Protection’ After Bomb Threats Target Democrats | US Congress

US lawmakers are on edge after a spate of hoax bomb threats targeting individuals across the political spectrum prompted the House Democratic leader to demand Congress act to provide “maximum protection.”

Over Thanksgiving almost all of it Connecticut Congressional Delegation of Democrats faced bomb threats apparently signed “Maga” — short for Donald Trump’s “Make America great again” political movement.

These threats followed a wave of similar threats that targeted prospective Republican Trump administration appointees and their offices. Numbers were also “swatted” by hoax calls to the police with the apparent aim of triggering an armed police response to a target.

“It is imperative that Congress provide maximum protections for all members and their families moving forward,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement.

Jeffries added: “America is a democracy. Threats of violence against elected officials are unacceptable, unconscionable and have no place in a civilized society. All perpetrators of political violence against any party must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

According to Jeffries’ office, the incidents ranged “from detailed threats of a pipe bomb placed in mailboxes to vandalism.” All were signed with “Maga” at the end of the message, Jeffries’ statement said.

The US Capitol Police declined to provide details about the threats to news website Axios to “minimize the risk of copycats”.

Meanwhile, the FBI is investigating the spate of pre-Thanksgiving threats against Trump’s incoming administration.

Among those targeted were New York congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations; Oregon Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer, who Trump wants to lead the Labor Department; and former New York Congressman Lee Zeldin, who has been tapped to lead the Danish Environmental Protection Agency.

Bomb threats and sneak attempts also married the run-up to November’s presidential election, where politicians, election officials and election offices were exposed to the threats.

The election unfolded against a backdrop of warnings of civil unrest if the contest had been tight or contentious. However, Donald Trump’s clear victory over Vice President Kamala Harris largely dampened any prospect of protest or violence.