Biden responds to bomb threats against Trump’s cabinet

President Joe Biden announced that his administration is working with the FBI to investigate a series of bomb threats and “swatting” incidents against lawmakers and several of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees.

The threats, which emerged earlier this week, have unsettled both Democratic lawmakers and Trump’s transition team. Biden condemned the threats, calling them a form of political harassment aimed at destabilizing public service.

“We are working closely with the FBI to ensure the safety of our elected officials and the nominees selected for President Trump’s new administration,” Biden said, speaking from Nantucket, Massachusetts, where he spent the Thanksgiving holiday.

Among those targeted were Rep. Seth Magaziner, a Rhode Island Democrat, and six Connecticut lawmakers, all of whom received bomb threats to their homes.

Fortunately, authorities responded quickly and found no evidence of explosive devices. However, the incidents have raised serious concerns about the rise of such violent intimidation tactics.

Swating, a dangerous practice in which false reports are made to induce a heavily armed police response, has also been used against prominent political figures, including Pete Hegseth, Trump’s pick for US defense secretary, and Lee Zeldin, his nominee for direct the Environmental Protection Agency. These threats occurred on Tuesday and Wednesday, raising tensions as Trump prepares to take office in January.

Hakeem Jeffries, Democratic leader of the House of Representatives, assured the public that the threats will not deter his party from carrying out its duties. “House Democrats will not be intimidated by violent threats. We will continue to serve the people without fear,” Jeffries said in a statement.

These latest threats come months after an assassination attempt on Trump in Pennsylvania in July, in which he was injured, and a separate incident in Florida, where a man was charged with attempted murder after positioning himself outside one of the Trump golf courses in September.

As the Biden and Trump transition teams continue to work together, Biden expressed confidence that both parties will stand united against attempts to intimidate elected officials and nominees.

“I look forward to speaking with President Trump again soon during the transition process,” Biden said, emphasizing that security would remain the top priority.

The rise in violent threats highlights growing concerns about political extremism and harassment, and law enforcement agencies are stepping up efforts to curb such dangerous activities.

The FBI has been asked to investigate these threats thoroughly and ensure the safety of those involved in public service.