**Congress Urged to Act as Hoax Bomb Threats Target Politicians Across the Spectrum**

In a climate increasingly fraught with security concerns, American lawmakers are feeling the strain after numerous hoax bomb threats were directed at politicians from both parties. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries has called for urgent congressional measures to ensure the "maximum protection" of members of Congress and their families.

Over the Thanksgiving holiday, nearly all members of Connecticut's Democratic congressional delegation were targeted by bomb threats that were notably signed with "Maga," a nod to former President Donald Trump's "Make America Great Again" movement. These threats came on the heels of a series of similar menaces directed at incoming Republican appointees in the Trump administration and their offices.

In an alarming trend, some victims were also subjected to "swatting" – false emergency calls intended to provoke an armed police response to the victim's location. "It is imperative that Congress provide maximum protection for all members and their families moving forward," Jeffries stated. He emphasized that the United States is a democracy and that any threats of violence against elected officials are unacceptable and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

Jeffries' office detailed that the threats ranged from explicit warnings about pipe bombs supposedly placed in mailboxes to swatting incidents, all bearing the "Maga" signature. The FBI is currently investigating this wave of pre-Thanksgiving threats against the incoming Trump administration. Notable targets included Elise Stefanik, nominated to serve as the United Nations ambassador; Lori Chavez-DeRemer, Trump's choice for the Department of Labor; and former congressman Lee Zeldin, selected to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.

These series of threats dovetailed with the heightened security fears leading up to November's presidential election, impacting politicians, election officials, and election offices. Although the election itself carried fears of civil unrest in the event of a contested outcome, the clear victory of Donald Trump over Vice President Kamala Harris helped to mitigate concerns of widespread protests and violence.