Fact Check: "Threats against Congress members surged to 9,000 last year."
What We Know
The claim that threats against Congress members surged to 9,000 last year is misleading. According to the United States Capitol Police (USCP), the total number of threat investigations conducted in 2022 was 7,501. This figure includes both concerning statements and direct threats against members of Congress. The number of threats investigated in previous years shows a fluctuating trend: 9,625 in 2021, 8,613 in 2020, and 6,955 in 2019. The USCP has noted that while the number of investigations decreased in 2022, it remains historically high.
In a separate report, the Associated Press stated that the USCP's threat assessment section investigated 9,474 concerning statements and direct threats against members of Congress in 2021, which was the highest number recorded since the January 6 Capitol attack. However, this number also reflects a broader context of increasing threats over the years, with credible threats reportedly more than doubling in the last decade.
Analysis
The claim that threats against Congress members surged to 9,000 last year appears to be a misinterpretation of the data. The USCP's official report clearly states that the number of investigations was 7,501 in 2022, which is significantly lower than the 9,000 figure cited. The confusion may stem from the fact that the USCP has reported various figures over the years, including the peak of 9,625 threats in 2021.
Moreover, while some reports, such as those from Axios, have mentioned over 9,000 threats, they often refer to cumulative figures or broader categories of threats rather than specific annual counts. This can lead to miscommunication and misunderstanding of the actual numbers. The credibility of the sources is generally high, as they are derived from official statements by the USCP and reputable news organizations. However, the interpretation of these figures must be approached with caution to avoid conflating different types of data.
The USCP's Chief, Thomas Manger, emphasized the need for increased protective measures due to the high number of threats, but he did not support the claim of a surge to 9,000 threats in 2022. Instead, he indicated that the number of cases had decreased from the previous year, although the overall threat environment remains concerning.
Conclusion
Verdict: False
The claim that threats against Congress members surged to 9,000 last year is false. The actual number of threat investigations conducted by the USCP in 2022 was 7,501, which is lower than the figure cited. Misinterpretations of threat data can lead to inflated claims, and it is crucial to rely on accurate statistics from credible sources.
Sources
- USCP Threat Assessment Cases for 2022 - United States Capitol Police
- Threats to lawmakers are rising after Minnesota shootings, officials ...
- Threats and attacks on members of Congress | Reuters
- Lawmakers in Washington press for more security ...
- Lawmakers' spending on security has skyrocketed. Is it ...
- Lawmakers Confront a Rise in Threats and Intimidation, ...
- Capitol Police chief: Over 9,000 threats made against Congress ... - Axios
- Of more than 7,500 threats against members of Congress in 2022, just 22 ...
