Secret Service investigates threats on Twitter

The United States Secret Service, the team responsible for protecting the President, have started investigating threats made on social network Twitter.

ABC News in the US has reported the service has started investigating specific threats made against President Obama’s life in relation to the passing of the health care reform bill.

One message allegedly said: “ASSASSINATION! America, we survived the Assassinations and (sic) Lincoln & Kennedy. We’ll surely get over a bullet to Barack Obama’s head.”

A number of tweets have been made calling for Obama’s death. In a statement to ABC News, the service said it is currently looking at how serious they are and what can be done.

“We are aware of the comments and are taking the appropriate investigative action…We respect the right of free speech, but in such instances we have a right and an obligation to ask questions and determine intent.”