Speaker Johnson calls swatting against Democrats ‘dangerous and insane behavior’

House Speaker Mike Johnson on Saturday condemned the recent threats against Democratic lawmakers as “dangerous and insane behavior.” 

Multiple East Coast Democrats were the targets of bomb and swatting threats at their homes on Thanksgiving Day, though none of the perils proved to be credible after law enforcement investigated each scene. 

“This is dangerous and insane behavior,” Mr. Johnson, Louisiana Republican, said. “Regardless of what party you belong to, your political opponents are not your enemies. This is not who we are in America.”

Among the threatened lawmakers were Reps. Jim Himes, Jahana Hayes, Joe Courtney, John Larson and Rosa DeLauro and Sen. Chris Murphy, six of the seven members of Connecticut’s congressional delegation.

Rep. Seth Magaziner and Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, both of Rhode Island, were also targeted, yet they said law enforcement couldn’t find evidence of a bomb on their properties. 

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, New York Democrat, similarly condemned the threats against his colleagues. He called for “maximum” protection for all lawmakers and their family members and pointed out that each threatening message was signed off with “MAGA.”  

On Thanksgiving Day, President Biden told reporters that the FBI was looking into the threats. The U.S. Capitol Police, which is charged with protecting lawmakers, is also investigating the incidents. The Washington Times reached out to the Capitol Police for comment. 

The threats against Democrats followed a slew of similar swatting against President-elect Donald Trump’s picks for his Cabinet and administration. None of the threats were found to be credible.