Lawmakers Face Record Surge in Violent Threats

Threats against U.S. lawmakers, their families, and staff have soared to record levels, with a sharp rise in politically motivated violence. The United States Capitol Police (USCP) reported 9,474 threat investigations in 2024, more than doubling since 2017 when the number stood at 3,939.

“We are witnessing an unprecedented level of hostility,” said USCP Chief Tom Manger. “The digital age has created a false sense of anonymity that emboldens individuals to make threats they might never voice in person.”

A Growing and Bipartisan Crisis

Both Republicans and Democrats are facing an onslaught of violent threats, delivered through mail, email, phone calls, and especially social media. The rise in incidents follows two attempted assassinations of former President Donald Trump during the 2024 campaign, highlighting the pervasiveness of political violence across party lines.

Recent high-profile incidents include:

• Bomb threats targeting lawmakers such as Reps. Joe Courtney, Jim Himes, John Larson, Marjorie Taylor Greene, and Jahana Hayes during the Thanksgiving holiday.
• An assassination attempt on Rep. Jared Moskowitz.
• The brutal hammer attack on Paul Pelosi, husband of former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, by an individual seeking to harm the congresswoman.

Capitol Police data shows that Florida, California, and Washington, D.C. have the highest number of recorded threats.

Capitol Security Reinforcements

Since the Jan. 6, 2021 Capitol attack, law enforcement has struggled to contain escalating threats. “We’ve implemented all 103 Inspector General recommendations for securing the Capitol,” said Manger. “But the danger extends beyond these walls. We must ensure lawmakers are protected in their home districts.”

To combat the surge, USCP has embedded attorneys within the Department of Justice (DOJ) to specialize in prosecuting threat cases. “Currently, special assistant U.S. attorneys are handling between 20 and 25 cases,” the department confirmed in a statement.

A Divided Nation Reacts

Former Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell recently denounced Donald Trump’s decision to pardon Jan. 6 rioters, calling it “a mistake.” In an interview with CBS’s 60 Minutes, he dismissed Trump’s characterization of the riot as “a day of love,” firmly stating, “It was an insurrection.”

Meanwhile, tensions between the FBI and the Trump administration are reaching a boiling point. Trump’s abrupt firing of hundreds of FBI agents and DOJ officials involved in the Jan. 6 investigation has sparked outrage. “This is a battle for the integrity of federal law enforcement,” declared a top FBI agent in New York. “Fear and uncertainty are gripping the ranks.”

As political divisions deepen, the risk of violence against lawmakers continues to escalate, leaving the nation on edge. “This is not just about politics—it’s about the safety of our democracy,” said Manger. “We cannot afford to ignore these threats.”