Frederica Wilson returns to Washington after facing threats

Frederica Wilson is back.

The Miami Gardens Democrat returned to Capitol Hill after missing votes in Congress last week due to threats against her after she was attacked by President Donald Trump and White House chief of staff John Kelly.

Wilson was present for a Tuesday evening vote, her first since Oct. 12, and she does not have extra security in Washington, according to her office.

“Life is back to normal here in Washington, D.C.,” said Wilson spokeswoman Joyce Jones.

Wilson’s Washington office could not confirm if Wilson is still receiving additional security in Miami. A staffer in Wilson’s Miami Gardens office did not immediately return a request for comment.

Wilson stopped for hugs from fellow lawmakers as she arrived to cast votes on Wednesday. One of her signature hats was relegated to her hand, since House rules prevent them from being worn on the floor.

Wilson garnered national attention after Trump attacked her on Twitter for listening to a call between the president and the widow of Sgt. La David Johnson, who was killed during an Oct. 4 ambush in Niger. The Miami Gardens Democrat said Trump was disrespectful to Johnson’s widow, Myeshia, by saying her husband had known what he was getting into by joining the Army, and by calling him “your guy” instead of using his name.

“The Fake News is going crazy with wacky Congresswoman Wilson(D), who was SECRETLY on a very personal call, and gave a total lie on content!” Trump tweeted.

Myeshia Johnson later backed up Wilson’s account of the call.

In the days after Trump’s attack, racist threats began to surface against Wilson.

“Need ten good men to help carry out a lynching,” a Facebook post by a Chicago area man read. “Must have own horse and saddle. Rope will be provided. This congresswomen [sic] is a disgusting pig. Someone should take their boot to her face.”

Police are investigating that threat.

White House Chief of Staff John Kelly also attacked Wilson without using her name and incorrectly recounted a 2015 FBI dedication ceremony speech that Wilson gave in Miramar. Kelly said Wilson took undue credit for securing federal funding for a new FBI field office, but video evidence showed that Kelly was wrong. Kelly declined to apologize for his remarks during an interview on Monday.

“No. Never. Well, I’ll apologize if I need to. But for something like that, absolutely not. I stand by my comments,” Kelly said.

Wilson is calling for an investigation into the deaths of four U.S. servicemen in Niger and why Johnson was separated from his unit.

“Think about what (the White House) should be doing,” Wilson said. “They should be trying to find out why Sgt. La David Johnson was separated from his battalion for two days.”

This story was originally published November 1, 2017 at 11:35 AM with the headline "Frederica Wilson returns to Washington after facing threats."