Federal law enforcement has recorded a “deeply disturbing spike” in threats against government workers and public servants in recent months, Attorney General Merrick Garland told the Washington Post.
This week alone, officials are investigating bomb
threats that forced evacuations at several courthouses and state
capitols across the country. The attorney general said federal officials also arrested and charged a man for
threatening to kill a congressman and his children.
“This is just
a small snapshot of a larger trend that has included threats of violence
against those who administer elections, ensure our safe travel, teach our
children, report the news, represent their constituents and keep our
communities safe,” Garland said. “These threats of violence are unacceptable.
They threaten our fabric of democracy.”
Garland made the comments ahead of a private meeting
with law enforcement officials at Justice Department headquarters to discuss
violent crime. The attorney general said officials would be discussing how best
to “double down” on efforts to fight the rise in threats against government
workers.
While threats are increasing, Garland said, homicide
numbers across the country have declined. From 2021 to 2022, homicides dropped
6 percent. The attorney general also cited numbers from the Major Cities Chiefs
Association, which reported a “double-digit decrease” in murders in 69 major
cities between much of 2022 and 2023.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco told reporters that officials in Baltimore said homicides had dropped by more than 20
percent this past year. And Detroit recorded the fewest homicides last year
since 1966 — along with double-digit reductions in shootings and carjackings,
city officials said.
But the officials noted that not every jurisdiction
has seen this decline in homicide rates. In D.C., for example, 2023 marked the city’s deadliest year in more than two
decades. Garland said Friday’s meeting would cover which violent crime
initiatives are working and which aren’t — and how best to apply the effective
tactics in places such as D.C.
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