Bomb threats cause evacuations at multiple US statehouses
State capitol buildings in at least six states were evacuated on Wednesday following bomb threats that targeted them. According to a spokeswoman for the Kentucky secretary of state, the threat was delivered through a mass email sent to several state offices across the US.
The email, reviewed by the BBC, aimed at least 24 statehouses, leading to the closure of many at the commencement of new legislative sessions. Although no bombs were found, the FBI is actively investigating the situation.
The threatening email asserted that “multiple explosives” had been “well hidden” within the statehouses, with a claim that these bombs would detonate “in a few hours,” resulting in casualties.
Despite the alarming nature of the message, the FBI stated that there is no information indicating a specific and credible threat, emphasizing their commitment to taking hoax threats seriously due to the potential risks they pose to innocent people.
The timing of the threat coincided with the start or just before the commencement of new legislative sessions, prompting the evacuation of many state lawmakers from their offices.
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear communicated on social media that the state capitol was evacuated by Kentucky State Police after the threat was directed to the secretary of state’s office.
He assured the public that everyone was safe and acknowledged similar threats made to other offices nationwide.
Law enforcement swiftly cleared the building in less than three hours, declaring it safe for personnel to return. The evacuation occurred as Kentucky lawmakers initiated their 60-day legislative session on Tuesday.
Gabriel Sterling, a spokesman for Georgia’s secretary of state, wrote on X was aware of the threats made to statehouses across the US.
“Do not jump to conclusions as to who is responsible,” he said.
“There will be chaos agents sowing discord for 2024. They want to increase tensions. Don’t let them,” Mr Sterling added.
Other states – including Wyoming, Oklahoma, Nebraska, Missouri and Maryland – also received threats on Wednesday but did not close, according to the Associated Press.
These are not the only threats the US public has contended with recently, however.
Over the holidays, multiple officials were targeted by so-called “swatting” calls at their homes. The prank calls to emergency services allege crises, such as an active shooter or hostage situation, to force a Swat team to be deployed.
Members of Congress faced swatting calls just before Christmas. Billionaire George Soros and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton were targeted in recent days. Maine’s secretary of state, Shenna Bellows, dealt with a swatting incident one day after she ruled that Donald Trump is ineligible to appear on the state’s election ballot.
Multiple states recently increased penalties for creating this kind of disruption, and lawmakers in other states are considering legislation that would do the same.
