House G.O.P. Subpoenas Biden Officials for Investigating School-Related Threats

Representative Jim Jordan, the chairman of the Judiciary Committee, demanded documents for an investigation into whether the government mistreated parents scrutinized after threats against school officials.

#cardona-miguel-a-1975, #conservatism-us-politics, #critical-race-theory, #education-k-12, #federal-bureau-of-investigation, #garland-merrick-b, #house-select-subcommittee-on-the-weaponization-of-the-federal-government, #jordan-jim-1964, #justice-department, #masks, #parenting, #school-boards, #subpoenas, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states-politics-and-government, #wray-christopher-a

New York Man Admits Threatening to Harm Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene

Joseph Morelli pleaded guilty to leaving menacing phone messages at the Georgia Republican’s congressional office.

#endicott-ny, #federal-bureau-of-investigation, #greene-marjorie-taylor-1974, #mental-health-and-disorders, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states-capitol-police, #united-states-politics-and-government

Solomon Peña Cheered Trump on Jan. 6. Now He’s Accused of Targeting Democrats.

Solomon Peña, who lost his bid to become a New Mexico lawmaker, faces charges in a series of shootings. “He had a belief process that he was cheated,” the Albuquerque police chief said.

#albuquerque-nm, #elections, #fringe-groups-and-movements, #midterm-elections-2022, #pena-solomon, #politics-and-government, #state-legislatures, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #threats-and-threatening-messages

Republican Ex-Candidate Arrested in Shootings Targeting New Mexico Democrats

The authorities in Albuquerque said Solomon Peña, who lost his bid for a State House seat in November, was behind a series of recent shootings targeting Democratic elected officials.

#albuquerque-nm, #house-of-representatives, #midterm-elections-2022, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states-politics-and-government

How States Are Using Red Flag Laws to Try to Avert Mass Shootings

Judges in 19 states and the District of Columbia are issuing orders to keep guns out of the hands of people deemed dangerous, like a Fort Lauderdale teenager who threatened a school shooting.

#courts-and-the-judiciary, #fort-lauderdale-fla, #gun-control, #mass-shootings, #police, #school-shootings-and-armed-attacks, #states-us, #suits-and-litigation-civil, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states-politics-and-government

Shootings Reported at Homes and Offices of 5 New Mexico Democrats

No one was injured in the shootings, which occurred in Albuquerque between Dec. 4 and Thursday. The authorities are investigating whether they were related and politically motivated.

#albuquerque-nm, #bernalillo-county-nm, #new-mexico, #politics-and-government, #state-legislatures, #threats-and-threatening-messages

Mother of Uvalde Gunman Arrested Over Threats to Kill a Man

The police said Adriana Martinez Reyes, who told them the teenager behind the school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, was her son, threatened to harm a man during an altercation.

#murders-attempted-murders-and-homicides, #oklahoma-city-okla, #ramos-salvador-d-2022, #reyes-adriana-martinez, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #uvalde-tex, #uvalde-tex-shooting-may-24-2022

In Year-End Report, Chief Justice Roberts Addresses Threats to Judges’ Safety

The report, an annual tradition, shed no light on the investigation into the leak of a draft opinion in May or on calls for more rigorous ethics rules for the justices.

#alito-samuel-a-jr, #brown-v-board-of-education-supreme-court-decision, #dobbs-v-jackson-womens-health-organization-supreme-court-decision, #murders-attempted-murders-and-homicides, #roberts-john-g-jr, #supreme-court-us, #threats-and-threatening-messages

Takeaways From Jan. 6 Transcripts on Surveillance and National Guard Response

The latest batch of transcripts shed light on how threats before Jan. 6 went unheeded and what led to an hourslong delay of the National Guard deployment to the Capitol.

#esper-mark-t, #house-select-committee-to-investigate-the-january-6th-attack, #jones-alex-1974, #mccarthy-ryan-d, #mcentee-john, #meadows-mark-r-1959, #metropolitan-police-department-dc, #national-guard, #social-media, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #trump-donald-j, #trump-donald-j-jr, #trump-melania, #united-states-capitol-police, #united-states-defense-and-military-forces, #united-states-politics-and-government

G.O.P. Gains Strength on N.Y. City Council, as a Democrat Breaks Ranks

Progressive Democrats and conservative Republicans are clashing on what may be the most ideologically diverse City Council ever.

#caban-tiffany, #city-council-nyc, #city-councils, #conservatism-us-politics, #democratic-party, #elections-city-councils, #midterm-elections-2022, #new-york-city, #politics-and-government, #republican-party, #threats-and-threatening-messages

How One Jewish Group’s Tweet Surveillance Uncovered a Synagogue Plot

The Community Security Initiative of the UJA-Federation of New York sounded the alarm that set off the manhunt that ended in two arrests.

#anti-semitism, #brown-christopher-nyc-synagogue-attack-suspect, #manhattan-nyc, #right-wing-extremism-and-alt-right, #silber-mitchell-d, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #uja-federation-of-new-york

New Jersey Man Arrested in Connection With Threat to Synagogues

An 18-year-old man was charged with sending a threat over social media. He is expected to appear in court on Thursday afternoon.

#anti-defamation-league, #anti-semitism, #federal-bureau-of-investigation, #jews-and-judaism, #middlesex-county-nj, #new-jersey, #threats-and-threatening-messages

Pelosi Attack Highlights Lack of Security for Congress as Threats Grow

Capitol security officials announced they would beef up protection after the attack, but lawmakers and experts say gaping holes in the system have long persisted.

#assaults, #depape-david, #law-and-legislation, #manger-j-thomas, #pelosi-nancy, #secret-service, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states-capitol-police, #united-states-politics-and-government

The Fading Line Between Rhetorical Extremism and Political Violence

Until acceptance of extremist language and individuals becomes politically costly, we can expect those fomenting political warfare to gain strength.

#pelosi-nancy, #pelosi-paul, #right-wing-extremism-and-alt-right, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #trump-donald-j, #united-states-politics-and-government

Nancy Pelosi, Vilified by G.O.P. for Years, Is a Top Target of Threats

The attack on the husband of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, which appeared to target her, came after more than a decade of Republican efforts to demonize and dehumanize the most powerful woman in Washington.

#assassinations-and-attempted-assassinations, #conspiracy-theories, #depape-david, #midterm-elections-2022, #pelosi-nancy, #pelosi-paul, #qanon, #republican-party, #right-wing-extremism-and-alt-right, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states-politics-and-government, #violence-media-and-entertainment

Pelosi Attack Highlights Rising Fears of Political Violence

The assault of the House speaker’s husband inside their home comes as threats against members of Congress have increased in recent years.

#fringe-groups-and-movements, #pelosi-nancy, #pelosi-paul, #rumors-and-misinformation, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states-politics-and-government

How a Tiny Elections Company Became a Conspiracy Theory Target

Election deniers catapulted a Michigan firm with just 21 U.S. employees to the center of unfounded voter fraud claims, exposing it to vicious threats.

#computers-and-the-internet, #conspiracy-theories, #cyberattacks-and-hackers, #engelbrecht-catherine, #midterm-elections-2022, #project-democracy, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #true-the-vote, #voter-fraud-election-fraud, #voting-and-voters

Lawmakers Confront a Rise in Threats and Intimidation, and Fear Worse

Violent political speech has increasingly crossed into the realm of in-person confrontation for members of Congress in both parties, raising the prospect of a disastrous event.

#collins-susan-m, #democratic-party, #house-of-representatives, #jayapal-pramila, #ocasio-cortez-alexandria, #republican-party, #security-and-warning-systems, #senate, #stalking-crime, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states-capitol-police, #united-states-politics-and-government

The Boss Said ‘Take Her Down.’ Was What Happened Next His Fault?

The victims of a bizarre cyberstalking operation at eBay are trying to hold the chief executive and the culture of the company responsible.

#computers-and-the-internet, #cyberharassment, #e-commerce, #ebay-inc, #internal-sub-only, #lelling-andrew, #silicon-valley-calif, #stalking-crime, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #wenig-devin-n

Before Midterms, Election Officials Increase Security Over Threats

With violent rhetoric from the right intensifying, some election officials are bolstering their defenses. Others are quitting.

#arizona, #benson-jocelyn, #colorado, #cyberharassment, #election-assistance-commission, #griswold-jena, #madison-wis, #maricopa-county-ariz, #michigan, #midterm-elections-2022, #presidential-election-of-2020, #project-democracy, #right-wing-extremism-and-alt-right, #security-and-warning-systems, #stalking-crime, #states-us, #texas, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states-politics-and-government

Response to Trump Search Highlights Violent Rhetoric From the Right

As they did before the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol, the former president and his allies are fueling outrage among supporters.

#conspiracy-theories, #federal-bureau-of-investigation, #justice-department, #mar-a-lago-palm-beach-fla, #right-wing-extremism-and-alt-right, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #trump-donald-j, #united-states-politics-and-government

3 Election Officials Resigned in a Texas County

Gillespie County, which President Donald J. Trump won by 59 percentage points in 2020, was left without an election staff. The state planned to help.

#gillespie-county-tex, #midterm-elections-2022, #rumors-and-misinformation, #stalking-crime, #texas, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states-politics-and-government

U.K. Police Investigate Online Threat to J.K. Rowling

The author of the “Harry Potter” books was threatened on Twitter after she posted condolences for the novelist Salman Rushdie, who was stabbed on Friday in western New York.

#books-and-literature, #chautauqua-institution, #rowling-j-k, #rushdie-salman, #social-media, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #twitter

As Right-Wing Rhetoric Escalates, So Do Threats and Violence

Both threats of political violence and actual attacks have become a steady reality of American life. Experts blame dehumanizing and apocalyptic language.

#federal-bureau-of-investigation, #lake-kari-a, #mar-a-lago-palm-beach-fla, #republican-national-committee, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #trump-donald-j

Does Twitch Fame Have to Come With a Stalker?

Stars on the video game streaming platform invite viewers into their homes virtually. What happens when one shows up in person?

#amazon-com-inc, #celebrities, #computer-and-video-games, #computers-and-the-internet, #security-and-warning-systems, #swatting-crime, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #twitch-interactive-inc, #video-recordings-downloads-and-streaming

Social Media Shooting Threats Against Elite Schools Sow Fear

A tactic using social media sites to direct threats at individual students unsettles schools in New York City and around the country.

#beacon-school-manhattan-ny, #berkeley-carroll-school, #brooklyn-nyc, #brooklyn-friends-school, #cyberharassment, #hoaxes-and-pranks, #laguardia-fiorello-h-high-school-of-music-and-performing-arts, #manhattan-nyc, #mass-shootings, #new-utrecht-high-school-brooklyn-ny, #new-york-city, #omegle-com, #police-department-nyc, #school-shootings-and-armed-attacks, #social-media, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #uvalde-tex-shooting-may-24-2022

Armed Man Is Arrested Near Home of Justice Kavanaugh

The man, Nicholas John Roske, told the authorities that he traveled from California to kill a Supreme Court justice, according to court documents. He was charged with attempted murder.

#abortion, #kavanaugh-brett-m, #maryland, #montgomery-county-md, #supreme-court-us, #threats-and-threatening-messages

Alaska Man Who Threatened to Kill U.S. Senators Gets Nearly 3 Years in Prison

Prosecutors said that Jay Allen Johnson left 17 threatening and expletive-laden voicemails over five months for Senators Lisa Murkowski and Dan Sullivan, both of Alaska.

#alaska, #jay-allen-johnson, #justice-department, #murkowski-lisa, #sullivan-dan, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states-capitol-police

Ex-Wife of Eric Greitens, Missouri Senate Candidate, Accuses Him 

Sheena Greitens said in an affidavit that her former husband, Eric Greitens, knocked her down during an argument in 2018. Mr. Greitens, a former governor of Missouri, denied the accusation.

#child-custody-and-support, #divorce-separations-and-annulments, #domestic-violence, #elections-senate, #greitens-eric, #missouri, #politics-and-government, #republican-party, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states-politics-and-government

Mother of Children Killed by Their Father Said She Lived in Fear

The woman obtained a restraining order in 2021 after telling a California court, “He has not killed me because he would not know where to go with the children.”

#assaults, #california, #david-mora, #domestic-violence, #murders-attempted-murders-and-homicides, #sacramento-calif, #suicides-and-suicide-attempts, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #university-of-california-los-angeles, #university-of-pennsylvania, #women-and-girls

Florida Girl Arrested Over Threats She Didn’t Make Sues Her School

Nia Whims, 13, was held in juvenile detention for 11 days after a classmate impersonated her on Instagram. Information proving her innocence was “available at the press of a button,” a lawsuit claims.

#broward-county-fla, #bullies, #charter-schools, #florida, #impostors-criminal, #instagram-inc, #meta-platforms-inc, #police-brutality-misconduct-and-shootings, #social-media, #suits-and-litigation-civil, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #whims-nia

How Threats Against Politicians Are Surging

A review of threats against members of Congress shows how a mainstreaming of violent political speech has prompted a growing number of Americans to target elected officials.

#davis-rodney-lee-1970, #omar-ilhan, #right-wing-extremism-and-alt-right, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #trump-donald-j, #united-states-capitol-police, #united-states-politics-and-government, #waters-maxine

Six Juveniles Are Persons of Interest in Threats to Historically Black Colleges

The F.B.I. said it was investigating the bomb threats, which disrupted life on more than a dozen campuses, as racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism and hate crimes.

#black-people, #colleges-and-universities, #delaware-state-university, #federal-bureau-of-investigation, #hate-crimes, #historically-black-colleges-and-universities, #howard-university, #spelman-college, #threats-and-threatening-messages

Historically Black Colleges Disrupted by Bomb Threats

At least 17 historically Black colleges and universities said they received bomb threats in the past two days, though no explosives have been found.

#baltimore-md, #baton-rouge-la, #black-people, #colleges-and-universities, #columbia-university, #delaware-state-university, #historically-black-colleges-and-universities, #howard-university, #morgan-state-university, #new-orleans-la, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states, #washington-dc, #xavier-university-of-louisiana

Officials Charge Man Who Said He Was ‘Coming for’ Biden

A Kansas man also described members of the Secret Service as “agents of darkness” and threatened one agent with a bullet, according to court records.

#biden-joseph-r-jr, #independence-kan, #scott-ryan-merryman, #secret-service, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states-politics-and-government

SWAT Team Responds to a Synagogue in the Dallas-Fort Worth Area

A man could be heard shouting on a livestream from Congregation Beth Israel in Colleyville, Texas. F.B.I. crisis negotiators and heavily armed police have converged on the building.

#colleyville-tex, #jews-and-judaism, #synagogues, #threats-and-threatening-messages

Robert Lemke Sentenced to 3 Years Over Threats to Journalists and Politicians

The same day that Trump supporters stormed the Capitol, Robert Lemke told a congressman’s brother that he was with “armed members near your home,” prosecutors said.

#cnn, #jeffries-hakeem, #lemke-robert, #lemon-don, #news-and-news-media, #stelter-brian, #stephanopoulos-george, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #trump-donald-j, #williams-damian-attorney

Some U.S. Schools Close After Shooting Rumors on Social Media

Security was heightened after vague warnings of threats circulated on TikTok and other social media platforms, police and school officials said.

#cyberharassment, #education-k-12, #school-shootings-and-armed-attacks, #snap-inc, #social-media, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #tiktok-bytedance

Democrats Press for House Censure of Gosar for Violent Anime Video

The House is expected to vote to formally rebuke the Arizona Republican and strip him of his committee seats for the video depicting him attacking two Democrats.

#ethics-and-official-misconduct, #gosar-paul-1958, #house-of-representatives, #republican-party, #right-wing-extremism-and-alt-right, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states-politics-and-government

Menace, as a Political Tool, Enters the Republican Mainstream

Threats of violence have become commonplace among a significant part of the party, as historians and those who study democracy warn of a dark shift in American politics.

#conservatism-us-politics, #polls-and-public-opinion, #republican-party, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #trump-donald-j, #united-states-politics-and-government

School Board Members Face Rising Threats Across the U.S.

Across the country, parents have threatened board members and vandalized their homes. One board member scans his driveway before walking to his car.

#education-k-12, #garland-merrick-b, #justice-department, #oregon, #threats-and-threatening-messages

Republicans Assail Garland Over Justice Department Schools Memo

Republicans said the Biden administration was seeking to intimidate parents concerned about school policies. The attorney general cited a spike in threats.

#education-k-12, #freedom-of-speech-and-expression, #garland-merrick-b, #justice-department, #senate-committee-on-the-judiciary, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states-politics-and-government

Iowa Democratic Chair Says He Received Lynching Threat After Criticizing Trump

Ross Wilburn, the first Black person to lead Iowa’s Democratic Party, said he received several racist messages after writing a column in The Des Moines Register.

#black-people, #democratic-party, #des-moines-iowa, #discrimination, #iowa, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #trump-donald-j, #united-states-politics-and-government

Why Public Health Is in Crisis: Threats, Departures, New Laws

An examination of hundreds of health departments around the country shows that the nation may be less prepared for the next pandemic than it was for the current one.

#budgets-and-budgeting, #coronavirus-2019-ncov, #demonstrations-protests-and-riots, #doctors, #epidemics, #government-employees, #hot-springs-county-wyo, #local-government, #masks, #medicine-and-health, #port-angeles-wash, #states-us, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states, #vaccination-and-immunization, #wilson-county-kan

Talk of Iraq Recognizing Israel Prompts Threats of Arrest or Death

A conference promoting normalization, organized by a little-known American group, prompted a furor, pointing to the volatility and danger in Iraqi politics.

#braude-joseph, #erbil-iraq, #international-relations, #iraq, #israel, #jews-and-judaism, #kurds, #sunni-muslims, #threats-and-threatening-messages

Man With Assault Rifle Pleads Guilty to Threatening Pelosi

Cleveland Grover Meredith Jr. wrote the day after the Jan. 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol that he would put “a bullet in her noggin on Live TV.”

#fringe-groups-and-movements, #georgia, #meredith-cleveland-grover-jr, #pelosi-nancy, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #united-states-politics-and-government

Man Pleads Guilty to Threatening to Lynch 2 Members of Congress

Kenneth R. Hubert, of Marionville, Mo., had threatened Representatives Emanuel Cleaver II after the Jan. 6 attack on the Capitol and Steve Cohen in 2019, prosecutors said.

#black-people, #cleaver-emanuel-ii, #cohen-stephen-i, #decisions-and-verdicts, #hubert-kenneth-r, #jews-and-judaism, #missouri, #plea-bargaining, #storming-of-the-us-capitol-jan-2021, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #trump-donald-j, #united-states-politics-and-government

Has Vitaly Borker, Online’s Biggest Bully, Returned?

Outraged customers of Eyeglassesdepot.com sound like the victims of a man who’s already spent years in prison for terrorizing consumers.

#borker-vitaly, #consumer-reviews, #counterfeit-merchandise, #decormyeyes-com, #e-commerce, #eyeglassesdepot-com, #frauds-and-swindling, #opticsfast-inc, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #trustpilot-inc

Has Online Retail’s Biggest Bully Returned?

Outraged customers of Eyeglassesdepot.com sound like the victims of a man who’s already spent years in prison for terrorizing consumers.

#borker-vitaly, #computer-security, #computers-and-the-internet, #consumer-reviews, #counterfeit-merchandise, #decormyeyes-com, #e-commerce, #eyeglassesdepot-com, #frauds-and-swindling, #opticsfast-inc, #sheepshead-bay-brooklyn-ny, #threats-and-threatening-messages, #trustpilot

When Is Online Nastiness Illegal?

Deciphering between political rhetoric and dangerous threats online isn’t always easy.

#cyberharassment, #law-and-legislation, #social-media, #threats-and-threatening-messages