An investigation is ongoing following a series of threats against the Pennsylvania Capitol and President Joe Biden.
On Saturday evening, members of the state House and Senate received an emailed bomb threat. The email claimed that explosives had been hidden in and around the Capitol buildings “in the name of Palestine.”
According to a copy of the email provided to this news organization, the sender threatened to detonate one device every few hours until President Biden “goes on national television and publicly denounces the illegitimate state of Israel.”
The email also claimed the sender was inside one of the buildings and armed with a knife.
In response to the threat, Pennsylvania Capitol Police evacuated the Harrisburg Capitol Complex and Judicial Center on Saturday evening.
Images from the complex showed police searching the grounds.
In a statement Saturday night, the Pennsylvania Department of General Services said that Capitol Police, with the assistance of K-9 units, did not find any explosives during their search of the buildings.
“Capitol Police and the FBI are still actively conducting a comprehensive search and investigation in coordination with the Pennsylvania State Police, House and Senate security, and the Dauphin County Sheriff’s Office to ensure the safety of the area,” the statement said.
Earlier in the day, both the House and Senate had canceled their planned Sunday sessions amid budget talks. However, some legislative staff were in the Capitol building, according to the Pennsylvania Capital-Star.
On Sunday, a follow-up statement said Pennsylvania Capitol Police, federal, state, and local law enforcement found “no credible threat and the buildings were cleared to reopen.”
Despite the all-clear, a second threatening email was sent to lawmakers on Sunday and again made a threat against Biden, who was in Harrisburg for an event.
“Good luck catching me! LOSERS,” the Sunday email read.
The threats did not appear to deter the president, who was seen ordering coffee with Gov. Josh Shapiro at a shop across from the Capitol. As is typical, the men were flanked by a security detail.
Leave a Comment