American lawmakers are on edge after a wave of fake bomb threats targeted figures across the political spectrum and prompted the Democratic leader in the House of Representatives to call on Congress to take action to ensure “maximum protection.”

Over Thanksgiving, nearly the entire Democratic congressional delegation in Connecticut faced bomb threats that appeared to be signed “MAGA” – an acronym for Donald Trump’s “Make America great again” political movement.

These threats followed a spate of similar threats targeting new Republican Trump administration nominees and their positions. The numbers were also “crushed” by false reports to police, with the apparent aim of triggering an armed police response to a target.

“It is imperative that Congress provide maximum protections for all members and their families moving forward,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement.

Jeffries added: “America is a democracy. Threats of violence against elected officials are unacceptable, irresponsible and have no place in a civilized society. All perpetrators of political violence against a party must be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

According to Jeffries’ office, the incidents “ranged from detailed threats of a pipe bomb being placed in mailboxes to beatings.” All were signed “Maga” at the end of the message, Jeffries’ statement said.

The U.S. Capitol Police declined to provide details of the threats to news website Axios to “minimize the risk of copycats.”

Meanwhile, the FBI is investigating the wave of threats before Thanksgiving against Trump’s new administration.

Among those targeted were New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick to be the next ambassador to the United Nations; Congresswoman Lori Chavez-DeRemer of Oregon, whom Trump wants to put at the head of the Labor Department; and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin, who was named head of the Environmental Protection Agency.

Bomb threats and attempted attacks also occurred in the run-up to the November presidential election, with politicians, election officials and election offices subject to the threats.

The election took place amid warnings of unrest if the contest was close or contentious. However, Donald Trump’s resounding victory over Vice President Kamala Harris has largely defused any prospect of protest or violence.