Democrat Senator and Congress Members Targeted by Thanksgiving Bomb Threats

Connecticut Democratic Representatives Joe Courtney, Jahana Hayes, Jim Himes, John Larson, and Rosa DeLauro, along with Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, said on Thursday that their homes were targeted with bomb threats on Thanksgiving.

In a statement on social media, Himes said he was "notified of a bomb threat targeting my home where I was celebrating Thanksgiving with my family," adding that "no evidence of a bomb was found."

"Mary, Emma, Linley, and I extend our utmost gratitude to our local law enforcement officers for their immediate action to ensure our safety. 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," he wrote in part in a statement.

A spokesperson for Courtney revealed that the congressman's home was the subject of a bomb threat while he and his family were present for the holiday as he condemned the threats.

"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 said.

Meanwhile, Hayes disclosed that the Wolcott Police Department notified her of a threatening email sent early Thursday morning. The email claimed a pipe bomb had been placed in her mailbox at around 7:45 a.m.

"I thank law enforcement for their swift attention to this matter," Hayes wrote in a statement on her website. "Their actions demonstrate there is no place in our country for political violence. On this Thanksgiving, I am grateful for my family and loved ones. I plan to spend the day with them and hope you all do the same. May you have a safe and happy Thanksgiving."

In addition, Larson, who received similar threats, noted the threats against his colleagues, saying in a statement that he was "grateful that my colleagues in the Connecticut Congressional Delegation, who received similar threats, are also safe."

Meanwhile, in a post on X, former Twitter, DeLauro also said she received similar threats and wrote, "Today, I received a bomb threat similar to my colleagues in the Connecticut congressional delegation. The New Haven Police Department's bomb squad has responded & determined no bomb was present at our home. I am thankful for their swift response & relieved no one was harmed."

No bombs or explosive materials were found at any of the homes. While authorities continue to investigate these threats, they have not said if the threats are connected.

In an emailed statement to Newsweek on Thursday, the FBI said they are working with state and local partners on the investigation but did not release any further details.

"The FBI is working with our state and local partners on these matters. No further details of the investigation will be released at this time," the agency said in a statement.

However, the representatives were not the only ones that received a bomb threat as the office of Murphy confirmed to NBC News that he was a target as well.

Murphy was previously reported to have received a bomb threat by a CBS News local affiliate.

"On Thanksgiving, Senator Murphy's home in Hartford was the target of a bomb threat, which appears to be part of a coordinated effort involving multiple members of Congress and public figures," a spokesperson for the senator said in a statement, per NBC News.

Newsweek has reached out to Courtney, Hayes, Himes, Larson, DeLauro and Murphy via email for comment.

The Thanksgiving threats come after a spokesperson for President-elect Donald Trump on Wednesday said several of his Cabinet picks and appointees were the recent targets of "violent" threats.

"These attacks ranged from bomb threats to 'swatting,'" Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement posted on X.

She continued: "In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action."

The Associated Press reported that the FBI said it is investigating "numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents" targeting Trump nominees.

Leavitt did not provide names of who was targeted, and did not provide details of the threats but said the incidents occurred on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.

"Last night and this morning, several of President Trump's Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them," Leavitt added.

According to a Wednesday statement posted on X, the home of Republican Representative Elise Stefanik of New York, Trump's nominee for ambassador to the United Nations, was targeted with a bomb threat.

"This morning, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, her husband, and their three year old son were driving home to Saratoga County from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence," a statement attributed to the congresswoman's office said in a post on her X account.

"Swatting" refers to when callers send emergency services rushing to the target's house by placing a false report of a crime or emergency.

Such incidents have increased in recent years, and multiple officials from both political parties reported being the victims of swatting during last year's holiday season.

Update 11/28/24 2:06 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.

Update 11/28/24 4:32 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information to include Larson and Murphy. The headline has also been changed.

Update 11/29/24 4:45 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information to include DeLauro and comment from FBI.