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Democratic Party HQ receives ‘bomb threat’ as Capitol police descend on building in wake of Charlie Kirk killing

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Police and law enforcement respond to a potential incident at the headquarters building of the Democratic National Committee.
Police and law enforcement respond to a potential incident at the headquarters building of the Democratic National Committee. Picture: Getty

By Josef Al Shemary

Staff at the Democratic National Committee headquarters were alerted that police were investigating an ‘incident’ in the building amid reports of a bomb threat.

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A large police presence was seen gathering outside the building housing senior Democrats following a reported bomb threat.

Capitol Police sent an alert to Senate lawmakers and congressional offices in the building alerting them to the ‘incident’ and telling them to warn their employees.

“Staff are asked to remain clear of the police activity,” the alert read, giving instructions on how recipients could report suspicious activity.

Read more: America's most wanted: FBI release first pictures of 'person of interest' in Charlie Kirk assassination

Read more: High-powered rifle used to kill Charlie Kirk found in wooded area as 'college age' gunman still at large

A follow-up alert warned: "The USCP is responding to a potential security concern at 430 South Capitol Street SE.

“Staff and other personnel are directed to AVOID THIS AREA until further notice."

Reports of a bomb threat quickly spread, but officials deemed these ‘not credible’.

Police carried out an interior sweep of the building “out of an abundance of caution,” a DNC spokesperson said.

"As DNC Chair Ken Martin has said, political violence in every form has no place in our country.

"We are grateful to the US Capitol police and DNC building security for responding quickly and professionally."

It comes just one day after popular MAGA influencer Charlie Kirk was shot in the neck 20 minutes into a student-sponsored event at Utah Valley University, raising fears across the US of more cases of political violence.

Kirk was pronounced dead at the hospital around an hour after being taken away by car.

His death was announced by US President Donald Trump, a close ally, last night. Today Trump awarded Charlie Kirk a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest civilian honour.

In the statement, the US president said he was "filled with grief and anger at the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk".

He wrote: "The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie.

"He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us. Melania and my Sympathies go out to his beautiful wife Erika, and family. Charlie, we love you!"

The 31-year-old prominent right-wing political commentator was the founder and CEO of the right-wing organisation, Turning Point USA, which acted as a youth advocacy arm for electing Conservative politicians in the US, particularly Trump.

But he was also a divisive figure, known for opposing gay marriage, denying climate change, spreading COVID-19 misinformation and promoting the idea of electoral fraud in 2020.

He was also an avid supporter of gun rights, which he was talking about when he was shot.