Bloody pig's foot sent to Rep. Peter King

By: CBS News Staff
Topics: Terrorism

US Republican Representative Peter King of New York, Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, arrives for the first in a series of hearings on radicalization in the American Muslim community on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, March 10, 2011.

/ Getty Images

Authorities intercepted a parcel this morning addressed to Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.) containing a bloody pig's foot and a derogatory message, a source has confirmed to CBS News.

The parcel was intercepted at the Congressional mail facility in Landover, Maryland, where mail sent to lawmakers is screened for security risks.

The U.S. Capitol Police and U.S. Postal Service confirmed that there is an open investigation, though would not confirm the details of what was contained in the parcel because the investigation is ongoing. King's office, which did not see the parcel, referred all questions to the Capitol Police.

According to the Postal Service, a hazardous materials response team tested the parcel and found it to be non-hazardous.

Last month, King held hearings on radicalization in the Muslim-American community that critics suggested unfairly targeted Muslims, though it's not known whether this incident is related to those hearings. Muslims are forbidden from eating pork products.

Ibrahim Hooper, National Communications Director for the Council on American-Islamic Relations - a target of King's hearings - said he found the situation confusing. He said his organization regularly receives pig-themed hate messages, including letters smeared with bacon.

"My guess is it was an anti-Muslim bigot, and bigots not being brain surgeons they probably got their signals crossed," he said.

UPDATE: A source on Capitol Hill told NBC News that the note "contained anti-Semitic ramblings" and referenced the radicalization hearings. King is Roman Catholic.

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by jetguard April 12, 2011 7:35 PM EDT: Peter King who is Roman Catholic yet he is a Bigot supports the IRA, he traveled to Ireland frequently to see the Senior Members in the 80's and King quoted

"We must pledge ourselves to support those brave men and women who this very moment are carrying forth the struggle against British imperialism in the streets of Belfast and Derry.

King was a collaborator with the IRA. In addition, his friends in the IRA were friends of Gadhafi.

A Roman Catholic who is nothing but a Bigot why is not been investigated for his dealing with the IRA.; Reply to this comment


by GoGoUsa April 4, 2011 9:23 PM EDT: Muslims are not offended by pork, pork products, or pigs in general. They like Jews, are not suppose to eat pork. Are Jews offended by pigs? It simply does not make any sense at all that a Muslim would have sent this because it would never occur to one that it might be considered an insult. Now the bottom of your shoe, that might be another matter, but a pigs foot? I doubt it was a Muslim. So far the only people I have ever heard who confuse the meaning of pork are the idiots out there who terrified beyond reason of anything Muslim and beg, no, pray for a war with them.; Reply to this comment