U.S. Rep. Derrick Van Orden, a Republican from western Wisconsin, is canceling an upcoming town hall and missing votes on May 8 following what his office described as a “credible threat” made against his family.
In a May 6 statement, Van Orden’s office said a letter sent to his Washington, D.C., office included threats directed at his wife, children, and grandchildren. The threat has been reported to the appropriate authorities.
“No elected official, regardless of political party affiliation, should have to worry about the safety of their family while serving the American people,” his office stated.
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Capitol Police declined to confirm if they were investigating, citing a policy against commenting on ongoing cases. Van Orden’s office would not release the letter or provide further details to the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.
Prairie du Chien Police Chief Kyle Teynor confirmed that his department was alerted by Van Orden’s team and sent officers to the family’s residences as a precaution. He declined to discuss the content of the threat but noted this was not the first such incident involving Van Orden’s family.
Van Orden has recently faced criticism from Democrats for not holding in-person town halls, a topic that’s become politically charged. Earlier this year, Republican leadership discouraged in-person events due to the risk of protests. Van Orden cited that concern during a virtual town hall, saying left-wing groups were trying to disrupt the events.
It remains unclear which town hall is being rescheduled. While Van Orden’s website allows constituents to sign up for event updates, no schedule is currently listed.
Van Orden’s office blamed the threat on “increasingly radical and violent rhetoric fueled by far-left Democrats.” Similar incidents have affected Democrats in Wisconsin. Rep. Gwen Moore was swatted at her Milwaukee home last year.
Rep. Mark Pocan, a Democrat who frequently clashes with Van Orden online, responded to the news on social media: “No elected official should receive death threats — it is truly un-American… none are appropriate.”
Last month, Van Orden accused an anti-war protester of assaulting him outside a Republican National Convention event in Milwaukee. The activist group Code Pink denied the claim, saying Van Orden tried to push past the protester. The Milwaukee District Attorney’s Office reviewed body camera footage and declined to file charges, citing insufficient evidence.
