UPDATE 8:04 PM EST: Rep. Darrell Issa’s office released the following statement:
Rep. Issa Statement on Threat to Vista, Calif., District Office
WASHINGTON. D.C. – U.S. Rep. Darrell Issa (R-Vista), Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, released the following statement about a phone call and suspicious item left outside the Vista, California, 49th Congressional District Office earlier today:
“Shortly after 1 pm PST today, my district office received a phone call. During this call, a staff member was told that something had been left outside that would explode. My district office staff immediately contacted the San Diego County Sheriff’s office and was thereafter evacuated from the office along with other occupants of the building. The phone call followed a protest at my district office of individuals associated with MoveOn.org and Occupy North County as well as individuals participating in a counter protest.
“I understand the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office has determined that the item left behind does not pose an actual threat. All staff members who were working in the office today are safe and I understand no other individuals have been harmed in this incident.
“I deeply appreciate the efforts of those from the San Diego County Sheriff’s office and the Vista Fire Department who responded to this incident. I will certainly assist them, as requested, as they continue their investigation of what happened and who is responsible.”
Rep. Issa’s Congressional District office is located at 1800 Thibodo Rd. in Vista, California. As the House of Representatives was in session today, Rep. Issa is currently in Washington, D.C.
UPDATE 7:43 PM EST: The San Diego County Sheriff’s Department tells TheDC that the scene has been cleared and that the report was “unfounded.”
The Vista, California district office of Republican Rep. Darrell Issa was evacuated Thursday afternoon while first responders investigated a report of a suspicious package left on the office doorstep. The device was spotted shortly after an organized protest in front of Issa’s office.
“There was a protest happening around noon, involving MoveOn.org and individuals who identified them as part of the ‘Occupy’ movement,” Issa spokesman Frederick Hill told The Daily Caller.
“We understand that an incident did occur.”
Hill added that “the congressman’s biggest concern right now is the safety of his employees, and of everyone involved.” He noted that Issa’s life was threatened in 2001 by a bomb plot that was interrupted by an FBI investigation.
A spokeswoman with the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department told The Daily Caller that the bomb/arson team has been on scene since approximately 2:30 p.m. pacific time.
“There was a report of a suspicious device,” the Sheriff’s office told TheDC. “The fire department has evacuated the building. The sheriff’s bomb/arson has been there about 25 to 30 minutes.”
“We don’t even have confirmation of who called it in,” the spokesperson added. “Bomb/arson is there still searching, trying to find the device.”
NBC News in San Diego reported that a call came in at approximately 1:15 p.m., and that officials in Issa’s office were forced to stand outside when first responders arrived.
Issa chairs the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, whose work includes investigating government agencies.
San Diego’s 10News reported that Issa is currently in Washington, D.C.
David is The Daily Caller’s executive editor. Follow him on Twitter