Five Democratic US lawmakers receive bomb threats at home

WASHINGTON: Five Democratic US lawmakers from Connecticut on Thursday said they were targeted with bomb threats at their homes, but no explosive devices had been found, according to social media and local media.

US representatives Jim Himes, Jahana Hayes, John Larson and Joe Courtney, all from Connecticut, reported the threats in statements on Thanksgiving Day.

“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,” said Himes.

Hayes said that on Thanksgiving morning, police told him they received an email “stating a pipe bomb had been placed in the mailbox at my home,” but that no bombs or explosives had been found and that the investigation was ongoing.

Local media in Connecticut reported that US senator Chris Murphy, a Democrat, had also been targeted. The US Capitol Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Several of president-elect Donald Trump’s cabinet and administration picks were also targeted this week with bomb threats and “swatting.”

Swatting is a false report made to police to induce a potentially heavy, armed response by officers at someone’s home. Law enforcement experts see it as a form of intimidation or harassment that is increasingly being used to target prominent figures.

A spokesperson for the Trump transition team said on Wednesday that the threats were made Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.