Scott, HBCU Caucus Co-Chairs Urge FBI and DOJ to Help Protect HBCUs from Recent Bomb Threats

WASHINGTON – Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Senator Chris Coons (D-Del.), Representative French Hill (R-Ark.), and Congresswoman Alma Adams (D-N.C.) — co-chairs of the Congressional Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) Caucus — sent a letter to Department of Justice (DOJ) Attorney General Merrick Garland and Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Christopher Wray. In their letter, the members urge the FBI and DOJ to provide additional information about the ongoing bomb threats against HBCUs, along with guidance outlining resources available for HBCUs to protect against these threats.

The members wrote, “As you know, at least 57 bomb threats have been made to HBCUs across the country. Notably, Howard University has received eight bomb threats, including two recently within the same week. Bomb threats should not be a normal part of the campus experience. …  As the co-chairs of the Congressional HBCU Caucus, we are concerned that the ongoing nature of these threats may and embolden others who wish to do these schools, and their students, harm. We look forward to continuing to work with you to ensure institutions receive timely and relevant communications to ensure school leaders and law-enforcement officials have all they need to keep safe as you work expeditiously to identify those responsible.”

Background: At least 57 bomb threats have been made to HBCUs in 2022, including to Claflin University in Orangeburg, South Carolina.

Sen. Scott has been working to get to the bottom of these incidents and ensure students feel safe as they continue their education. To that end, the senator:

• Sent a letter to the Biden administration, alongside the other HBCU caucus chairs, requesting information about the bomb threats;
• Introduced a Senate resolution condemning these bomb threats and reaffirming the Senate’s commitment to combating violence against HBCU students, staff, and faculty; and
• Testified at the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing title “Combating the Rise in Hate Crimes” where he denounced the bomb threats and called upon the Biden administration to take these threats seriously.

Read full text of the letter here.

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