House Democrats targeted in Thanksgiving bomb threats after Trump’s cabinet picks face similar incidents

At least five Democratic members of Congress from Connecticut received bomb threats on Thanksgiving, including one House lawmaker who was the target of a “threatening email” announcing a pipe bomb in her home mailbox.

US Capitol Police and state and local police have cleared the threats, which followed a series of similar incidents and “swatting” threats targeting Republican nominees to join Donald Trump’s incoming administration.

Bomb threats were reported on Thursday at the homes of Senator Chris Murphy as well as Reps. Jahana Hayes, Joe Courtney, John Larson and Jim Himes, the top-ranking Democratic member of the House Intelligence Committee, according to their offices.

Police have responded to the incidents and determined that no evidence of any bombs was discovered, they said.

In a statement, Hayes said police notified her at 7:47 a.m. that they had received a “threatening email stating a pipe bomb had been placed in the mailbox” at her home, and after an investigation, “no bomb or explosive materials were discovered and the scene was cleared.”

“At this time the investigation is ongoing,” she said. “I thank law enforcement for their swift attention to this matter, their actions demonstrate there is no place in our country for political violence.”

A statement from Himes said he was similarly notified on Thursday morning “about a bomb threat targeting my home where I was celebrating Thanksgiving with my family.”

A spokesperson for Courtney said the congressman’s home was similarly targeted, and a responding bomb squad cleared the scene at 7 a.m. and found no evidence of a bomb at the property.

This is a developing story