White House calls bomb threats at HBCUs ‘disturbing’

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that President Biden is aware of the latest bomb threats at historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs), calling them disturbing.

“I will say that these are certainly disturbing,” Psaki told reporters. “And the White House is in touch with interagency partners, including federal law enforcement leadership on this.” 

“The president is aware. I don’t believe he’s received a formal briefing, but he is aware of these reports,” she added.

At least six HBCUs, including Bowie State University, Southern University, Bethune-Cookman University, Albany State University, Howard University and Delaware State University, received bomb threats on Monday morning. 

Howard, in Washington, D.C., and Bethune-Cookman, in Daytona Beach, Fla., both received an all-clear from police after they investigated the threats. 

Psaki said the White House is “relieved to hear that Howard and Bethune-Cookman Universities have been given the all-clear.”

She added that the White House will continue to monitor reports. 

The FBI said earlier on Monday it is aware of the bomb threats and working with local law enforcement. It also asked the public to report anything suspicious regarding the threats.

This is the second time this month that multiple HBCUs, including Howard, have received such threats.