Washington DC - Dozens of Democrats signed onto a letter led by Representative Ayanna Pressley calling for a federal investigation into modern-day lynchings.

"We are extremely alarmed by reports of Black people found hanging from trees in numerous states throughout our country. The series of deaths raise significant suspicion of foul play given the role of lynching in our nation’s history," reads the letter to Attorney General Todd Blanche and FBI Director Kash Patel.

"Therefore, we write to urgently demand a thorough, transparent, and comprehensive federal investigation into every hanging death of a Black individual across the United States."

The letter – signed by 59 members of Congress – cited a February 2026 report which documented more than 70 lynchings across seven states between 2000 and 2025. The analysis found a pattern of systemic violence, neglect, and law enforcement misconduct in the cases.

Donald Trump Trump rejects Saudi request for strikes on Yemen's Houthis

The letter also references reports indicating there have been at least 10 hangings of Black people so far this year.

"Black folks are being found hanged in America. This is a national crisis and we CANNOT stand by while strange fruit hangs from trees across the country," Pressley posted on X. "We're demanding a federal investigation NOW so we can stop modern-day lynchings."

The lawmakers called on the DOJ and FBI to open a probe under the Emmett Till Antilynching Act of 2022, signed into law by then President Joe Biden. They also demanded transparent data collection on hanging deaths of Black people.

"Inaction by the federal government is tantamount to complicity," the letter states. "Not only are innocent lives lost, but lynching inflicts deep traumatic and psychological wounds on family members, neighbors, and the entire Black community."