CNN
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A political gathering labeled as an alternative to the Trump-aligned Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) in Washington, DC was abruptly evacuated on Sunday due to a death threat aimed at several speakers who have criticized former President Donald Trump.

Shortly after noon, organizers of the Principles First Summit received an alarming email threatening numerous high-profile speakers and alleging that pipe bombs had been planted on the premises, as confirmed by the email reviewed by CNN and statements from the conference organizers and the Washington, DC Metropolitan Police Department.

The threatening message specifically mentioned former national security advisor John Bolton and ex-US Capitol police officer Michael Fanone, who defended the Capitol during the January 6, 2021, insurrection.

The sender of the email claimed that two pipe bombs were placed at the JW Marriott hotel hosting the Principles First Summit and that another bomb would be left in the mailbox of Bolton’s Maryland home.

Organizers immediately informed their private security team and the Metropolitan Police about the threat, as stated by Principles First founder Heath Mayo during a press briefing on Sunday evening. The hotel subsequently chose to evacuate the specific floor where the conference was taking place.

“After further investigation, we learned that the threat was not credible. This incident has been resolved,” the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia said in a statement to CNN.

Montgomery County Police responded to Bolton’s home that afternoon for the reported bomb threat, which was also found to be baseless, the department reported in their statement to CNN.

The threat originated from an untraceable email account, and the sender claimed it was intended to “honor the J6 hostages recently released.”

Mayo indicated on Sunday that they have yet to identify the source of the email targeting the summit, and law enforcement has not provided any details about the individual behind the threat.

“We will not be intimidated; we will stand firm. These kinds of threats against our safety, and that of Congress members, represent a serious issue in our country. We refuse to accept this sort of behavior,” Mayo reassured participants when the conference resumed later that afternoon.

The Principles First Summit positions itself as a distinct option compared to the more Trump-centric Conservative Political Action Conference.

Notably, the email also posed threats against other speakers, including New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, former US Representative Adam Kinzinger, former Georgia Lieutenant Governor Geoff Duncan, retired federal appeals court Judge J. Michael Luttig, and entrepreneur Mark Cuban.

Organizers announced they had heightened security following an encounter involving Enrique Tarrio, the previous leader of the Proud Boys, who was convicted of seditious conspiracy and sentenced to 22 years in prison for his role in the January 6 insurrection before being released last month through a presidential pardon from Trump.

On Saturday, Tarrio appeared at the Principles First conference and confronted Fanone and former US Capitol Police Sergeant Harry Dunn, who also defended the Capitol during the January 6 attack.

During their confrontation, Tarrio called Fanone and Dunn “cowards” and instructed them to “keep walking,” as he and supporters recorded their actions, tailing the two through the hotel.

“You’re a traitor to this country,” Fanone retorted in response to Tarrio’s provocations.

Confirming the details of the encounter with Tarrio, Fanone stated to CNN on Sunday he believes Trump’s pardons have emboldened Tarrio and other individuals involved in the January 6 incident.

Both Fanone and Dunn have been vocal opponents of the January 6 rioters and provided testimony before the House select committee that looked into the Capitol attack and the efforts to halt Congress’ confirmation of the 2020 presidential election results.

Addressing Trump’s extensive pardons for January 6 offenders, Fanone, who has faced threats himself, remarked on Inauguration Day, “my family, my children, and I are less safe today because of Donald Trump and his followers.”

Tarrio was in Washington, DC to attend the Conservative Political Action Conference, which took place from Thursday to Saturday.

“We’re like gods,” Joe Biggs, a Proud Boy whose 17-year sentence for his involvement in the Capitol attack was commuted, told CNN Thursday, describing his reception by CPAC attendees.

On Friday, Tarrio was also apprehended and briefly held by US Capitol Police on allegations of assaulting a protester outside the Capitol.

Tarrio and other pardoned participants from January 6 were holding a press event outside the Capitol when a woman came close to Tarrio with a cell phone, as per US Capitol Police.

Officers observed Tarrio strike both the woman’s phone and arm, leading to his arrest for simple assault, according to statements from the US Capitol Police to CNN.

After his release, Tarrio spoke to a journalist at CPAC, asserting that the counterprotester had initiated physical contact first.

“I’m 100% confident the charges will be dismissed,” Tarrio commented.

This article has been updated with further details.