 "FBI, Biden administration probe Thanksgiving hoax bomb threats targeting lawmakers, Trump picks")
US President Joe Biden has said that his administration will work with the FBI to probe the hoax threats made to lawmakers and Donald Trump’s cabinet picks over the week.
The targetted people also fell victim to “swatting” which is a false report made to police to induce chaos and fear by drawing a potentially heavy, armed response by officers at someone’s home.
What happened?
Thanksgiving turned awry for at least six lawmakers after they received bomb threats as they were celebrating with their families.
Rep. Seth Magaziner, a House Democrat from Rhode Island, said on Friday he was targeted by a bomb threat at home, a day after six Democratic lawmakers from Connecticut reported similar threats. These included Reps. Joe Courtney, Jim Himes, John Larson and Jahana Hayes.
Law enforcement in each case found no evidence of explosive devices, the lawmakers said. Pete Hegseth, Trump’s choice to become US defence secretary, and Lee Zeldin, Trump’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, were among nominees targeted with bomb threats and swatting attempts.
“House Democrats will not be deterred or intimidated from serving the people by violent threats,” Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement on Friday.
Threats signed with ‘MAGA’
Jeffries said that the threats were placed in mailboxes and were signed with ‘MAGA’ at the end of the message.
Law enforcement is investigating potential links between threats recently sent to Congressional Democrats and those sent to Trump officials earlier in the week, according to two sources cited by CNN.
“Anytime a Member of Congress is the victim of a ‘swatting’ incident, we work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners. To protect ongoing investigations and to minimize the risk of copy-cats, we cannot provide more details at this time,” US Capitol Police said in a statement.
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