RantCrush Top 5: June 15, 2017

During a security briefing yesterday after the shooting at the GOP baseball practice, several congressmen from both parties said they received threats before and after yesterday’s attack. Democratic members reported phone calls saying, “You guys are next.” Members of Congress said that there has been a general increase in threats over the past few months and weeks. Representative David Schweikert (R-AZ) said his office had reported four threats by phone or email the day before the shooting happened, including one threatening his daughter.

At the briefing, concerns were raised about how to increase security for lawmakers. Representative G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) pointed out that campaign funds can be used for this purpose, as long as the congressman in question had received a documented threat. This was news for some, who expressed frustration that they had never been informed about this rule. One thing everyone seemed to agree on is that the current political climate has become increasingly hostile.

For all the noise and fury, we are a family. An attack on one of us is an attack on all of us. pic.twitter.com/ZbkXuwlbGk

— Paul Ryan (@SpeakerRyan) June 14, 2017

Emma Von Zeipel

Emma Von Zeipel is a staff writer at Law Street Media. She is originally from one of the islands of Stockholm, Sweden. After working for Democratic Voice of Burma in Thailand, she ended up in New York City. She has a BA in journalism from Stockholm University and is passionate about human rights, good books, horses, and European chocolate. Contact Emma at EVonZeipel@LawStreetMedia.com.