The attacks against Trump's picks were confirmed by Trump transition team spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, who is also Trump's nominee to be the next White House press secretary. She stated that the threats were made against at least three Trump picks on the evening of Tuesday, Nov. 26, and on the morning of Wednesday, Nov. 27.
"Last night and this morning, several of President Trump's Cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted in violent, un-American threats to their lives and those who live with them," said Leavitt in a statement. "These attacks ranged from bomb threats to 'swatting.'"
Swatting is the filing of false police reports to get the homes of individuals targeted by heavily armed law enforcement officers, potentially to bring the targets and their family members harm.
"In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted," Leavitt continued. "President Trump and the entire transition team are grateful for their swift action."
A law enforcement official told CBS News that Susie Wiles, Trump's campaign manager and pick to be White House chief of staff, and Pam Bondi, the former attorney general for Florida and Trump's pick to be the next United States attorney general, were both targeted in this wave of violent threats. (Related: Trump names campaign manager and former Big Pharma lobbyist Susie Wiles as his chief of staff.)
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), Trump's nominee to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was targeted with a bomb threat to her home in Schuylerville in Upstate New York, her office confirmed.
"This morning, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, her husband and their three-year-old son were driving home to Saratoga County from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence," her office said in a statement on Wednesday. She received the threat on Tuesday evening. "New York state, county law enforcement and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism. We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe."
Former New York Rep. Lee Zeldin, who was tapped by Trump to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, was also targeted.
"A pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message," claimed Zeldin in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "My family and I were not home at the time and are safe. We are working with law enforcement to learn more as this situation develops. We are thankful for the swift actions taken by local officers to keep our family, neighbors and local community secure."
Billionaire businessman Howard Lutnick, an adviser of Trump's transition team and the president-elect's nominee to lead the Department of Commerce, also had his Manhattan home threatened with a swatting attempt. The New York Police Department said a 911 call came in reporting a terrorist bomb threat at his home.
Brooke Rollins, Trump's nominee to be secretary of agriculture, said in a statement that a "threat was issued" against her family while they were at their home in Fort Worth, Texas. She said local police responded quickly, and she and her family were unharmed and quickly returned home.
White House claims it is against political violence and is monitoring the situation
A spokesperson for the White House said the outgoing administration of President Joe Biden is in touch with federal law enforcement and the president-elect's team and is monitoring the situation.
"Federal law enforcement's response, alongside state and local authorities, remains ongoing," said the spokesperson. "The president and the administration unequivocally condemn threats of political violence."
The Federal Bureau of Investigation has confirmed in a statement that it is aware of the "numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees" and is working with state and local law enforcement to deal with the issue.
"We take all potential threats seriously, and as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement," the agency said.
U.S. Capitol Police have also mobilized due to the threats against sitting federal lawmakers. A spokesperson said the agency is working closely with other law enforcement agencies, especially to handle the swatting incidents.
"Anytime a member of Congress is the victim of a 'swatting' incident, we work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners," said the spokesperson. "To protect ongoing investigations and to minimize the risk of copycats, we cannot provide more details at this time."
Watch this Fox News clip featuring how Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) was herself a victim of swatting.
This video is from the NewsClips channel on Brighteon.com.
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