Jacquelyn Martin/AP
An increase in threats to US lawmakers over the past two years has extended to their family members, according to federal law enforcement officials, and the lack of federal protections for family members has frustrated some members of Congress.
The security detail for lawmakers, including House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, does not protect their family members, including spouses, when members of Congress are not with them, according to multiple sources. Some lawmakers have received additional security in their home districts from local police departments and private contractors.
After the attack on Pelosi’s husband, Paul Pelosi, GOP Rep. Adam Kinzinger told CNN that threats against his family included one that referred to the murder of his young child. But when he asked the U.S. Capitol Police for additional security, he was essentially told to “get in line,” Kinzinger said.
Like other lawmakers, Kinzinger’s security detail does not protect his family when he is not with them, and the lack of help from Capitol Police means his campaign would have to foot the bill for any additional security.
“That usually ended up being private security,” he said.
Calls for violence against lawmakers online and elsewhere refer to both elected officials and their families, according to sources familiar with the threat environment who told CNN that law enforcement agencies are struggling with how to deal with these threats in echo of January 6th. 2021, attack on the US Capitol.
In the months following the January 6 riot, Capitol Police and other law enforcement agencies worked to increase protection for members of Congress when in Washington, DC and returning to their home districts.
Capitol Police declined to comment when asked Friday about the safety of the lawmakers’ families.
A senior Capitol aide tells CNN that Capitol Police are now evaluating additional security options to protect the families of congressional leadership.
Federal law enforcement agencies have consistently warned of the growing threat of politically motivated violence after Jan. 6, raising specific concerns about the potential for online calls for violence to lead to actual attacks.
According to the most recent statistics, Capitol Police responded to about 9,600 threats in 2021 against the people and places the department is responsible for protecting. It is unclear how many threats were made to family members.
Several lawmakers have requested additional protection from the U.S. Capitol Police after receiving threats against their families, but the agency largely lacks the resources and training to meet those requests, according to a source familiar with the matter.
