U.S. elected officials face unprecedented surge in violent threats

An investigation into records from Freedom of Information Act requests, court documents, and law enforcement logs reveals that thousands of violent threats have targeted elected officials in the United States. Between 2024 and August 2024, threats inundated the mailboxes, offices, and digital communications of public servants across various levels of government.

The threats, which included promises of torture, stabbing, and murder, targeted both Republicans and Democrats. Impacted officials include at least 44 governors, 70 of the 100 U.S. senators, and approximately 185 members of the House of Representatives. Additionally, more than half of the nation’s secretaries of state have received threats of violence.

These communications often extended beyond the officials themselves, targeting their spouses, parents, siblings, and children. The period also saw a spike in actual violence, including assassination attempts and killings.