Death threats surge against Democrats targeted by Trump
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Rep. Jason Crow and other Democratic lawmakers speak at a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 18. Photo: Kent Nishimura/Bloomberg via Getty Images
A group of congressional Democrats with national security backgrounds say threats coming into their offices have surged dramatically after President Trump said comments they made are "punishable by DEATH!"
Why it matters: The spike comes against the backdrop of a broader uptick in threats against members of Congress and incidents of political violence that have Washington, D.C., increasingly on edge.
- Rep. Jason Crow's (D-Colo.) office went so far as to ask the Capitol Police to investigate Trump, calling his posts "threatening, intimidating, and concerning" in an email first reported by Axios.
- Trump and the White House have denied that his posts were meant to constitute threats.
Driving the news: "We've had hundreds and hundreds, if not, you know, closer to a thousand threats," Sen. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) told NBC News, adding that the Senate sergeant-at-arms has arranged for her to have "24/7 security."
- A spokesperson for Crow told Axios threats to his office have also "substantially increased" after Trump's posts and that his staff has "taken additional measures to ensure the safety of the Congressman, his family, and congressional offices."
- "Yes, there's been an uptick in threats," a spokesperson for Rep. Chris Deluzio (D-Pa.) told Axios.
- Reps. Maggie Goodlander (D-N.H.) and Chrissy Houlahan (D-Pa.) also told Axios on Friday they have faced a surge in threats, with Goodlander saying: "When the president of the United States threatens anyone with violence ... it has an impact."
What happened: In a video posted to social media on Tuesday, the lawmakers urged military service members to defy any unlawful orders they may be given.
- "Like us, you all swore an oath to protect and defend this Constitution. Right now, the threats to our Constitution aren't just coming from abroad," the Democrats said. "You can refuse illegal orders. You must refuse illegal orders."
- Trump responded in a series of posts on Truth Social, accusing the lawmakers of "SEDITIOUS BEHAVIOR" and suggesting their comments were "punishable by DEATH."
- White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt denied that Trump was threatening violence, with Trump telling Fox News host Brian Kilmeade on Friday: "I'm not threatening them, but I think they're in serious trouble."
What they're saying: "As you might expect, we are monitoring the situation very closely," said Rep. Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.), the ranking member of the House Administration Committee, which oversees members' security.
- "[We] continue to urge everyone, especially the President, to refrain from highly inflammatory rhetoric."
- House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) and his deputies said in a statement Thursday: "We have been in contact with the House Sergeant at Arms and the United States Capitol Police to ensure the safety of these Members and their families."
