Rick Scott (R-FL), Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost were among the public officials targeted in recent days by “swatting” attempts, which involve prank calls made to emergency services in order to prompt a police response.

In response to the bomb threats, Connecticut, Georgia, Hawaii, Kentucky, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, and Montana evacuated statehouse offices or buildings. However, federal officials quickly dismissed the threats as a hoax, and no explosives were found.

The FBI stated that they were aware of numerous hoax bomb threats at state Capitol buildings but had no specific and credible information to indicate a real threat. They emphasized the seriousness of hoax threats, as they put innocent people at risk. The bureau was working with state, local, and federal law enforcement agencies to gather, share, and act on information related to the threats.

Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear confirmed the evacuation of the Capitol while state police investigated a threat received by the Secretary of State's Office. Although lawmakers were elsewhere for ethics training, some candidate filings were disrupted. Meanwhile, in Mississippi, the Capitol was locked down on the second day of the legislative session, and the state Senate delayed its morning meeting. Bomb-sniffing dogs were brought in, and after a thorough search, an all-clear was given.

In most states, the closures were brief, and disruptions were minimal. Montana's Capitol building reopened within two hours after a sweep of the building confirmed that the threat was not credible. Similarly, Minnesota's state Supreme Court oral arguments were interrupted but moved to other courtrooms in the Minnesota Judicial Center.

While multiple states faced bomb threats, other states such as Wyoming, Oklahoma, Nebraska, New Hampshire, Missouri, and Maryland received threats but did not close their offices or buildings. Wyoming Highway Patrol Lieutenant Kyle McKay stated that a "mass email" was sent to several state entities in Wyoming but was determined not to be a security threat.

These bomb threats come in the wake of a series of false reports of shootings at the homes of public officials. Several public officials have been targeted in recent days, including Republican U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and U.S. Representative Brandon Williams of New York. These incidents highlight the ongoing issue of “swatting” calls, with hundreds of cases occurring annually.

Despite the disruptions caused by these threats, state capitols are now resuming their normal activities, and law enforcement agencies continue to investigate the incidents to ensure the safety of public officials and the general public.