In recent hours, several of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees were hit with alarming threats, including bomb scares and “swatting” incidents. Swatting is when someone falsely reports an emergency to the police, causing them to show up unnecessarily, often in full force.
The threats happened late Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, according to Trump’s team spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt. Thankfully, law enforcement acted swiftly to keep everyone safe.
“President Trump and the entire transition team are deeply grateful for the quick response,” Leavitt shared.
FBI Investigates the Threats
The FBI is already looking into the situation and confirmed they’re treating it seriously. They encouraged anyone who notices something suspicious to report it right away. A senior official from the Department of Homeland Security’s cybersecurity division, however, did not comment on who might be behind these incidents.
High-Profile Targets
Several of Trump’s nominees were directly targeted:
- Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick for U.N. ambassador, received a bomb threat while traveling with her family for Thanksgiving. Police acted quickly, and her family is safe.
- Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, tapped to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, reported that a pipe bomb threat was made against him with a pro-Palestinian message. Fortunately, his family wasn’t home, and they’re unharmed.
- Pete Hegseth, Trump’s choice for Secretary of Defense, also experienced a similar threat. Police arrived at his home while his seven children were still asleep to inform him of the danger.
Swatting on the Rise
Swatting has been on the rise, especially during the 2024 election season. The FBI describes it as a prank designed to scare and disrupt, but it’s no joke—these false reports often put lives at risk.
Earlier this year, federal agencies, including the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, warned about a sharp increase in swatting. Many of these incidents have targeted election workers and polling places to cause chaos and intimidation.
“Both foreign and domestic groups use swatting to harass and intimidate people, from government officials to schools and even journalists,” a warning from May 2024 said. The agencies also provided tips on how to prevent and handle such incidents.
A Call for Vigilance
As authorities continue to investigate, they’re urging everyone to stay alert. If you see or hear anything unusual, don’t hesitate to report it. Together, we can help keep our communities safe.
