New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries Among Leaders Targeted By Violent Extremists

As the FBI and other law enforcement agencies continue their investigations into the insurrectionists who stormed the U.S. Capitol hoping to prevent the certification of President Joe’s Biden’s election and possibly harm lawmakers, new information indicates Congressional leaders are still being targeted.  New York Congressman Hakeem Jeffries alerted authorities that his brother and sister-in-law received threatening messages from a man with ties to the extremists. Authorities arrested Robert Lemke of northern California yesterday and charged him in connection with text messages about the 2020 presidential election. Lemke faces one count of “threatening interestate communications.”

Court documents say the texts read, in part, “Your brother is putting your entire family at risk with his lies and other words. We are armed and nearby your house. You had better have a word with him. We are not far from his either. Already spoke to [Congressman-1’s son] and know where his kids are.”

In the documents, Jeffries is referred to as “Congressman-1” and he has since confirmed that he is the unnamed congressman referenced in the complaint.

Jeffries released a statement, offering his “deep thanks and heartfelt gratitude to the FBI, U.S. Capitol Police, NYPD and all law enforcement authorities involved for their commitment to protecting the safety and well-being of his family and all Members of the United States Congress.”

Jeffries’ tweets recently have addressed the extremist elements of the Republican Party and the continued baseless claim that the election was stolen.

Intimidation of Congress

Extra security is being requested by members of Congress amid warnings from Homeland Security that extremists who oppose the presidential transition and are radicalized by false narratives may be planning more violence.

The Committee on House Administration sent a letter reminding members of the security measures they can expense and ways to increase their security protocols. Members can be reimbursed for purchasing bulletproof vests, hiring security personnel in certain instances or enrolling in training safety courses. High-profile Democrats like New York Congresswoman Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez have expressed concerns about their safety, but according to CNN, her office would not confirm if she has additional security  Texas Representative Al Green spoke on the House floor about the frightening moments he experienced when angry Trump supporters harassed him on January 8, two days after the assault on the Capitol, during a flight change in Nashville, Tennessee, en route to his home in Houston, calling him a “disgrace” and a “dirt bag .” Days later, Green voted to impeach former President Donald Trump for inciting the violence at the Capitol.