House Democrats From Connecticut Targeted With Thanksgiving Bomb Threats

The U.S. Capitol as seen from the National Mall in Washington on Aug. 9, 2024. Aaron Schwartz/Middle East Images/AFP via Getty Images

The homes of four Democrat members of Congress—all from Connecticut—were targeted by bomb threats on Thanksgiving, according to statements from the lawmakers or spokespersons.

Reps. Jahana Hayes, Jim Himes, and John Larson said their homes were targeted on Nov. 28, while a spokesperson for Rep. Joe Courtney indicated the same. No bombs were ultimately discovered by law enforcement and no arrests have been made.

In a statement on Thursday, Hayes said that Wolcott Police Chief Edward Stephens notified her shortly before 8 a.m. of a threatening email claiming a pipe bomb had been placed in her mailbox. She said that the investigation into the incident is ongoing, and denounced political violence.

“State police, U.S. Capitol Police, and the Sergeant at Arms were immediately notified,” she wrote. “The Wolcott Police Department and State Police responded and no bomb or explosive materials were discovered and the scene was cleared.”

Himes issued a statement on social media on Thursday, expressing gratitude for what he described as quick police action in response to the threat.

“This morning, I was notified of a bomb threat targeting my home where I was celebrating Thanksgiving with my family,” Himes wrote. “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 threat was found.”

The Democrat lawmaker 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 a statement, Larson said that members of the East Hartford Police Department went to his home and found no explosive materials.

“I am grateful that my colleagues in the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, who received similar threats, are also safe,” he stated. “Thanks again to law enforcement at every level, from local, to state, to federal.”

Courtney’s spokesperson said in a statement that the lawmaker was at home celebrating Thanksgiving with family on Thursday morning when police notified him of a bomb threat targeting his home.

“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,” the spokesperson stated.

It’s unclear if the Thanksgiving bomb threats targeting the Connecticut lawmakers are connected.

The Connecticut incidents occurred after several of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees were targeted by bomb threats and swatting attempts on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

On Wednesday, Trump transition team spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement on social media that unnamed Trump Cabinet nominees and incoming administration officials were subjected to “violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them.”

Leavitt said that law enforcement acted quickly to address the threats: “President Trump and the entire transition team are grateful for their swift action.”

The FBI confirmed that it was aware of numerous swatting incidents and bomb threats targeting various incoming Trump administration nominees.

“We take all potential threats seriously and, as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement,” the FBI said in a statement.