This week, U.S. Rep. Frederica Wilson, D-Fla., the chairwoman of the U.S. Higher Education and Workforce Investment Subcommittee, announced that the Biden administration has updated members of Congress about investigations of threats made against Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
More than a dozen HBCUs across the nation received bomb threats in recent weeks. Edward Waters University (EWU) in Jacksonville and Bethune Cookman University (BCU) had classes disrupted due to the threats.
Two weeks ago, Wilson said the administration was not keeping Congress informed on its investigations.
“I am outraged that the United States Department of Justice and Department of Homeland Security have failed to brief Congress on developments made in its ongoing investigation of bomb threats made against HBCUs,” said Wilson. “Over the course of almost two months, HBCU students, staff, and faculty continue to be terrorized by racially charged threats and – today – Claflin University was evacuated following yet another bomb threat. I, along with many of my colleagues have called on both the Department of Justice and Homeland Security to brief Congress on their investigation into these hate crimes and to ensure the safety of HBCU campus communities. As these threats of violence continue to rob students of their sense of safety and security, it is long past time for these federal departments to deliver this briefing.
“HBCUs have a long history of being the targets of racially motivated violence and acts of intimidation – violence and intimidation that have not garnered the appropriate level of attention from law enforcement officials,” continued Wilson. “I fear that, if the perpetrators of these hate crimes are not swiftly apprehended, they will only become more emboldened to attempt to carry out physical attacks. Federal and local law enforcement officials have a responsibility to utilize every available resource to bring those responsible to justice and communicate effectively with Congress and university leaders. Once again, I urge the Department of Justice to provide Congress with a confidential briefing on their efforts to keep HBCUs safe and end this horrific campaign of terror.”
Also last month, Wilson wrote U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland on the matter.
Wilson weighed in on her efforts this week after hearing from the administration.
“After two months of profusely calling for a congressional briefing from the Department of Justice on its investigation of threats made against HBCUs and the communities they serve, I commend the DOJ, DHS, and FBI for finally updating Congress through an unclassified briefing,” said Wilson. “However, it has been incredibly disheartening to have issued multiple statements and sent a letter to Attorney General Garland for this to have taken place.
“The threats that have been made since January 4th against HBCUs, some of our nation’s most historic institutions, call for heightened attention that they historically have not garnered,” continued Wilson. “I am pleased to know that the Department of Justice, Department of Homeland Security, and FBI are actively listening to the pleas of myself, HBCU leaders, and the students and families they serve for the full investigation of these threats and swift prosecution of those who so boldly made them. Still, I urge the DOJ, DHS, and FBI to provide a classified briefing, as I’ve advocated for, so that the questions we have as members of Congress will receive satisfactory answers. It is my hope that these government agencies will continue to keep Congress abreast of developments made in its investigation so that we can serve our constituents to the best of our abilities.”
Also last month, U.S. Rep. Byron Donalds, R-Fla., called on U.S. Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-NY, the chairwoman of the U.S. House Oversight and Reform Committee, to hold a hearing on the threats.
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