Death Threats Arise After Florida Representative’s Pregnancy Story

Florida

Representative Kat Cammack’s offices were evacuated due to imminent death threats against her, her family, and her staff. These threats emerged following a report about her life-threatening ectopic pregnancy published in a recent newspaper article.

The threats began surfacing after a Wall Street Journal article detailed Cammack’s ordeal with an ectopic pregnancy experienced in May 2024. According to Cammack, emergency room doctors exhibited hesitancy in treating her condition due to concerns about adhering to Florida’s stringent six-week abortion ban, instilling fears about potential legal ramifications.

Since the article’s release, Cammack has reported receiving thousands of hostile messages and dozens of credible threats, primarily from pro-abortion activists. In her communications on social media platform X, she shared screenshots of some upsetting messages directed at her, highlighting the intensity of the backlash.

Cammack clarified her political position in her online post, stating that she did not support Florida’s radical heartbeat law while emphasizing her role as a U.S. House representative. She labeled the death threats as an adverse outcome of sharing her personal health experience, which was meant to foster awareness and improve healthcare solutions for women and children. Cammack described such threats as unacceptable and harmful.

The U.S. Capitol Police, responsible for safeguarding Congress members, affirmed their commitment to a zero-tolerance policy regarding threats. They are currently investigating the threats through collaboration with local and federal law enforcement agencies. A notable trend indicates that threats against lawmakers are rising, as the Capitol Police reported examining 9,474 concerning statements and direct threats in the previous year alone.

Florida’s six-week abortion ban, enacted on May 1, 2024, prohibits abortion procedures after six weeks of pregnancy but does not expressly ban treatments for ectopic pregnancies. Nevertheless, the vague language surrounding the law has led to uncertainty among medical professionals regarding how to proceed in these situations.

Cammack has publicly expressed support for exceptions in cases involving rape, incest, or circumstances where a mother’s health is at significant risk. Despite this, she has faced both support and criticism, with adversaries accusing her of spreading misinformation related to her perceived backing of the Florida abortion legislation.

Following her own experience with an ectopic pregnancy, Cammack criticized what she identified as “fearmongering” by abortion-rights advocates that has contributed to confusion and indecision among medical providers regarding treatment protocols.

A spokesperson from the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration provided clarification regarding the law, stating that abortion services can be provided at any stage if needed to protect a mother’s life and health, including during ectopic pregnancy cases.

Currently, Cammack is expecting again and is due in the summer of 2025. She has expressed a determination to continue advocating for important conversations around maternal healthcare in the United States, irrespective of the intimidation posed by threats.