President-elect Donald Trump’s planned Cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted in bomb threats and “swatting” attacks, according to a spokesperson for the Trump transition team. Swatting involves making hoax calls to police to draw SWAT teams to a location, potentially leading to deadly outcomes. Three senior law enforcement officials confirmed that these threats were not credible and did not involve physical threats. The FBI is aware of these incidents and is working with law enforcement partners to address them.
The threats did not involve U.S. Secret Service protectees like Trump or Vice President-elect JD Vance. Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s nominee for ambassador to the United Nations, was among the targets, as was former Rep. Matt Gaetz, who withdrew his bid to be Trump’s attorney general. Gaetz’s home was searched by a bomb squad in response to the threat, but no devices were found. The threats will not deter the transition team, according to the spokesperson.
These types of threats have been used against individuals viewed as Trump adversaries in the past, including judges and prosecutors involved in legal cases against him. The incidents highlight the ongoing tensions and security concerns surrounding the transition of power. Law enforcement is taking the threats seriously and working to ensure the safety of those targeted.
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