Rep. Todd Akin’s comments on “legitimate rape” were infuriating, but most of us have channeled our anger into discussing abortion policy and/or ridiculous memes. However, it seems some people have decided to give the story a more disturbing twist by making violent threats against Akin, his family, and his staffers. According to an Akin aide, “The office of Congressman Akin has received threats of rape of his official staff, family and the Congressman himself along with suggestions that individuals should die.”
The aide says that U.S. Capitol Police and the FBI are investigating “which threats are accurate or how to contextualize them.” The Washington Post reports that Capitol Police spokeswoman Lt. Kimberly Schneider confirmed that there is an “active, open investigation,” but wouldn’t release any other details, as “we don’t discuss the security of Members of Congress.”
