Political leaders on heightened alert after Charlie Kirk killing

(NewsNation) — A bomb threat at the Democratic National Committee sent workers home for the day on Thursday. The incident comes amid heightened concerns over political violence in the wake of Charlie Kirk’s assassination.

Capitol Police responded to the bomb threat and determined it was “not credible,” according to a spokesperson.

“This afternoon, there was a bomb threat to DNC HQ that was determined to not be credible by the U.S. Capitol Police,” a DNC spokesperson told NewsNation. “Out of an abundance of caution, Capitol Police is conducting an interior sweep of the building. As DNC Chair Ken Martin has said, political violence in every form has no place in our country. We are grateful to the U.S. Capitol Police and DNC building security for responding quickly and professionally.”

Some lawmakers are rethinking outdoor events after Kirk’s death. At least three Democratic reps have rescheduled or relocated planned outdoor events over the next few days, Politico reports. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, (D-N.Y.), told reporters she had already moved her planned event inside before Kirk’s death, then rescheduled it after learning about the assassination.

Representative Nancy Mace (R-S.C.), too, said she’d be avoiding outdoor events, adding that she planned to start carrying a gun, The Hill reported.

Another Republican representative, James Comer (R-Ky.), told reporters he thinks all members should think harder about outdoor events. Comer chairs the powerful House Oversight Committee.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said he will expedite a review of member security procedures.

“We have got to protect people running for public office or nobody will,” Johnson said.

In the last 24 hours, lawmakers on both sides of the aisle have released statements calling for an end to political violence.

“There is no place in our country for political violence. Period, full stop. Please join me in praying for Charlie Kirk,” Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) posted on social media.

Rep. Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) echoed this sentiment in her social media post Thursday, writing “political and gun violence has no place in America. My prayers are with all those impacted by yesterday’s tragedies — their loved ones, and their communities.”

Former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt when speaking with voters in 2011, condemned all political violence in her own post Thursday afternoon.

“It is physically very hard for me to speak due to my injuries from getting shot, and after watching yet another political shooting violently steal someone’s life before our eyes, it’s even harder to find words,” Giffords said. “So I want to speak plainly to my former colleagues in Congress: Do something. Take action. Pray also if you want, but understand: your job is action.”