GETTING NASTY: Homeland Security Official Warned With Decapitated Animal On His Porch

According to an official who is familiar with recent threats directed against the Department of Homeland Security, the department determined that there is now a “heightened threat against DHS employees.” The official said roughly two dozen threats have been made in the last few days.

One specific example: a senior DHS official living in the Washington, D.C. area found a burnt and decapitated animal on his front porch.

On Saturday, Claire Grady, acting deputy secretary of Homeland Security, wrote to employees, “This assessment is based on specific and credible threats that have been levied against certain DHS employees and a sharp increase in the overall number of general threats against DHS employees.” Her memo recommended not displaying work badges in public, being careful with public conversations and being circumspect on social networks. It also recommended DHS employees “always keep doors and windows locked” and “be aware of unexpected changes in and around your home.”

Last week, The Washington Post reported that WikiLeaks published information regarding over 9,000 supposed current and former ICE employees, arguing that it did so for “increasing accountability.” The database published by Wikileaks showed the employees’ publicly available personal information and job history.