U.S. Capitol Police Investigate Over 8,000 Threats Against Lawmakers in 2023, Marking a 7% Increase from the Previous Year.
The U.S. Capitol Police reported an uptick of nearly 7% in investigations into threats against lawmakers in 2023 compared to the previous year, totaling more than 8,000 incidents. The annual assessment released on Thursday highlighted concerns about the escalating threat landscape, particularly as the nation enters an election year characterized by heightened political tensions.
Key Points:
- Capitol Police probed 8,008 “concerning statements and direct threats” against members of Congress in the past year, a notable increase from the 7,501 threats investigated in the preceding year.
- The data over the last five years indicated a peak in threats in 2021, notably associated with the January 6 Capitol riot, where more than 9,600 threats were investigated.
- Diverse threats, ranging from mail and online communications to email and telephone messages, targeted lawmakers across party lines, as disclosed in Thursday’s Capitol Police release.
- The police attributed the rise in threats to “a false sense of anonymity on social media” and underscored the importance of reducing “violent political rhetoric” as a means to mitigate such threats.
Crucial Quote: Ashan Benedict, Assistant Chief of Protective and Intelligence Operations for Capitol Police, commented on the challenging year ahead for special agents, noting, “With the political conventions, Member campaigns, and many issues being debated on Capitol Hill, this is going to be a very busy year for our special agents.”
Key Background: Incidents of threats against lawmakers and judges have witnessed an increased frequency in recent times. Attorney General Merrick Garland addressed the concerning surge in threats against public servants, including members of Congress, emphasizing the Department of Justice’s commitment to reinforcing efforts against such threats. The heightened political violence reported by Reuters in August further contributes to a challenging environment. Additionally, bomb threats prompted evacuations and lockdowns in six state capitol buildings earlier this month. Election officials have also faced escalating threats since 2020, intensifying an atmosphere of intimidation, as reported by the New York Times.
Tangent: The phenomenon of “swatting,” involving the anonymous initiation of unnecessary 911 calls to prompt emergency responses, has gained prominence in recent months. The White House, along with prominent figures such as Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Sen. Rick Scott, has fallen victim to swatting incidents. Judge Tanya Chutkan, overseeing former President Donald Trump’s federal election interference case, has similarly experienced such threats.