Bomb Threats Target Three Oregon Democratic Senators; Threats Deemed False
Three Democratic Oregon senators, including Senate President Rob Wagner, Senate Majority Leader Kayse Jama, and Senator James Manning Jr., were targeted with bomb threats on Thursday morning. Oregon State Police confirmed the threats were false after conducting thorough checks at their homes.
Details of the Threats
The threats were delivered via email, prompting a response from Oregon State Police and local law enforcement. Explosives technicians were dispatched to the senators' residences and determined that no explosive devices were present. Lieutenant Casi Hegney of the Oregon State Police communicated the details to state lawmakers. The FBI is now assisting in the investigation to identify the source of the threats.
Senate Republican Leader Daniel Bonham and Senator James Manning confirmed that the threats were directed at Wagner, Jama, and Manning. It's important to note that Manning and Jama are two of Oregon's few Black lawmakers.
Reactions and Statements
Both Senator Jama and Senate President Wagner released statements expressing gratitude to law enforcement for their swift response. Jama emphasized that, "Violence and threats of violence should never be part of political disagreements." Wagner echoed this sentiment, stating, "Acts and threats of political violence have no place in our democracy."
"Violence and threats of violence should never be part of political disagreements. We can oppose each other’s ideas without resorting to violence and intimidation." - Senator Kayse Jama
"Acts and threats of political violence have no place in our democracy. In this dark moment, we must seek the common humanity in one another and work toward healing our nation." - Senate President Rob Wagner
Context and Investigation
The bomb threats come amidst heightened political tensions, following the recent assassination of conservative political figure Charlie Kirk. While a motive for Kirk's murder remains undetermined, it has sparked concerns about potential for further political violence.
Oregon State Police are collaborating with the FBI and local law enforcement to investigate the origin of the threats. The incident serves as a reminder of the potential for disruptive threats in Oregon politics, as evidenced by previous instances, such as the shutdown of the Oregon Secretary of State's Office phone lines due to a surge of threats related to Donald Trump's exclusion from the voter's pamphlet.
