“Deeply Disturbing Spike” in Threats Against Federal Workers, Public Servants: DOJ
U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland warns that the nation is seeing a “deeply disturbing spike” in threats against federal workers and public servants.
Attorney General Garland noted that in the final months of 2023, the Department of Justice (DOJ) investigated and charged individuals with making violent threats against FBI agents, federal judges (including a Supreme Court Justice), presidential candidates, members of Congress, members of the military, and election workers.
There were also several bomb threats made against courthouses.
“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,” said Attorney General Garland, who noted the threats of violence “threaten the fabric of our democracy.”
January 6 Anniversary
The comments came one day before the third anniversary of the January 6, 2021, attack on the U.S. Capitol.
Noting that DOJ has charged over 1,250 individuals and obtained over 890 convictions in connection with the January 6 attack, Attorney General Garland said the work continues and that “[w]e must never forget the terrible violence inflicted on law enforcement officers on January 6.”
Violent Crime Meeting
Attorney General Garland made the comments ahead of a wider meeting to discuss violent crime. Meeting attendees included the leaders of DOJ components such as the FBI, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives (ATF), the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA), and the U.S. Marshals Service.
Attorney General Garland cited progress in the fight against violent crime, noting a six percent drop in homicides between 2021 and 2022. The attorney general also cited numbers from the Major Cities Chiefs Association, showing a “double-digit decrease” in murders in 69 major cities between much of 2022 and 2023.
In addition, the attorney general praised legislation such as the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, saying it has been effective at taking weapons out of the hands of young people, adding that enhanced background checks have prevented the purchase of 527 firearms.
Still, the drop in homicides is not happening across the board. For example, 2023 was the deadliest year in two decades in Washington, DC.
DOJ officials say the violent crime meeting was about reviewing which strategies are working and which ones need to be adjusted to bring down homicide rates in cities like the nation’s capital.