Chaya Raichik, the founder of the “Libs of TikTok” social media brand, has been linked to posts that appear to have incited bomb threats in various jurisdictions across the US and Canada.
Law enforcement and government officials believe that her social media posts, which target individuals such as drag performers, LGBTQ teachers, and doctors treating transgender patients, have inspired threats in multiple locations.
Raichik’s posts have been associated with 33 instances of bomb threats or violent intimidation, leading to significant investigations and disruptions.
“As a country and organization, we have seen an increase in threats of violence targeting government officials and institutions, houses of worship, schools, and medical facilities, just to name a few. The FBI and our partners take all threats of violence seriously and responding to these threats ties up law enforcement resources,” the FBI press office stated.
“When the threats are made as a hoax, it puts innocent people at risk, is a waste of law enforcement’s limited resources, and costs taxpayers. The FBI and our state and local partners will continue to aggressively pursue perpetrators of these threats — real or false — and hold them accountable,” they said.
While Raichik denies responsibility for the threats, her online activities have drawn attention and criticism, with some officials and victims attributing the threats to her posts.
“I think there should be consequences when social media is used inappropriately and a community is harmed,” Superintendent Sue Rieke-Smith said.
“It takes time to vet those threats,” Chief Greg Pickering said. “There’s a ton of due diligence.”
The FBI has noted an increase in threats targeting institutions like hospitals and schools, and authorities have been working to address these incidents.
“There are forces at work in our country that have fostered this sort of behavior, and that just needs to stop,” Oakland Unified School District spokesperson John Sasaki said.
“The frequency of school threats which turn out to be hoaxes has dramatically increased in the last two years and presents a quandary for school personnel and public safety alike,” Salem Police Chief Lucas Miller stated.
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