Sep 12, 2025 - Politics & Policy

Bomb threats target Black Democratic leaders, HBCUs

Josephine Walker

Minority Leader of the U.S House of Representatives, Hakeem Jeffries speaks onstage during the 2025 Congressional Black Caucus Ceremonial Swearing-In at The Anthem on The Wharf on January 03, 2025 in Washington, DC. Photo: Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Congressional Black Caucus Foundation — House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries at the 2025 Congressional Black Caucus Ceremonial Swearing-In, Jan. 3. Photo: Leigh Vogel/Getty Images for Congressional Black Caucus Foundation

Black Democratic politicians have been receiving both "credible" and "non-credible" bomb threats in the past few days, as have a slew of historically Black colleges and universities.

Why it matters: Bomb threats are rising alongside bipartisan calls to tone down accusatory rhetoric after several recent acts of political violence.

State of play: The threats targeted four high-profile Black Democrats: Michigan Lt. Gov. Garlin Gilchrist II, Maryland House Speaker Adrienne Jones, and Oregon state Senate leaders James Manning Jr. and Kayse Jama.

All of the threats have been investigated by law enforcement, and they have all been marked clear, according to multiple outlets.

What they're saying: "Earlier today, there was a credible bomb threat to my home, where Ellen and I raise our young children," Gilchrist said in a statement posted on X Thursday.

"The purpose of this violence is to silence, intimidate, and eliminate people and their voices from our society. ... We cannot normalize it. We have to push through this and do the work to do better."

Zoom out: At least seven HBCUs went on lockdown Thursday after receiving potentially "terroristic threats."

Several high-profile Black lawmakers, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), called on the FBI to investigate the threats as potential acts of "domestic terrorism."
In an emailed statement, the Congressional Black Caucus called the threats "not only vile" but also "a chilling reminder of the relentless racism and extremism that continues to target and terrorize Black communities in this country."
The FBI determined the threats against HBCUs on Thursday were not credible but told Axios they would continue monitoring the situation.

Other Democratic politicians received threats as well on Thursday.

In Rhode Island, Senate President Valarie Lawson and Senate Majority Leader Frank Ciccone were among the politicians who received threats, according to a state Senate spokesperson.
New Mexico Senate Majority Leader Peter Wirth and House Majority Floor Leader Reena Szczepanski also received similar threats, according to a local affiliate of States Newsroom.
U.S. Capitol Police responded to a "potential security concern" at the Democratic National Committee headquarters Thursday afternoon, which was "determined to not be credible," according to a DNC spokesperson.

Go deeper: "Terroristic threats" disrupt life at HBCUs across the U.S.

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Bomb threats target Black Democratic leaders, HBCUs

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