US lawmakers balance security and openness as threats of political violence rise

Elected officials and law enforcement are starting to take threats more seriously in wake of political assassinations

“Tell Eric Swalwell that we are coming and that we are going to handle everyone. We are going to hurt everyone. We are coming to hurt them.”

The staff at representative Swalwell’s California district office had heard the man’s voice before. He had called twice in previous weeks to leave revolting, racist threats against the Democratic congressman and his wife in voicemails, according to an FBI criminal complaint released on Monday.

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