US Capitol Police investigated 7,501 threats against members of Congress last year. According to new figures released Tuesday.
Last year’s numbers marked the first decline in at least five years. But were “high,” double the 3,939 cases investigated in 2017, Capitol Police said. In 2021, when the riots took place on January 6, the threat cases reached 9,625.
“Threats against members of Congress. Remain very high,” U.S. Capitol Police Chief Tom Manger said in a statement. “This has resulted in a necessary expansion not only of our investigative powers. But also of our protection responsibilities.”
The tallies include investigations into “statements and direct threats.
” And police said the number of threats against Democrats. And Republicans was similar, noting every member of Congress was affected.
An intruder was charged in October with breaking. Into the San Francisco home of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. D-Calif., and attacking her husband with a hammer. Police said the assailant later said he was looking for Pelosi, who was in Washington, D.C., at the time.
Weeks after that attack, a Michigan man was arrested. And charged with threatening to kill Rep. John Garamendi. Another California Democrat, and FBI Director Christopher Way.
Most recently, a Washington man was charged with seven. Counts of making interstate threats for allegedly. Leaving more than 400 voicemails for members of Congress over a two-year period.
The threat of political violence also extends to the state and local levels. Solomon Pena, an unsuccessful GOP candidate. For the New Mexico state House, was arrested Monday. In connection with four shootings at the homes of two county. Commissioners and two state legislators.
