According to Trump’s transition team, several Cabinet nominees for President-elect Donald Trump were reportedly the target of bomb threats and swatting attempts.
Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement Wednesday that “several” of Trump’s Cabinet nominees were threatened Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. In addition to bomb threats, Leavitt said some nominees were “beaten,” which is tantamount to calling law enforcement on someone’s home because of a false threat.
“In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those targeted,” Leavitt said in a statement.
While Leavitt did not specify who was targeted, Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), who has been picked to be Trump’s U.N. ambassador, said said she was aware of a bomb threat against her hometown.
“This morning, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, her husband and their three-year-old son were driving from Washington to Saratoga County for Thanksgiving when they were notified of a bomb threat at their home,” a statement from Stefanik’s office said. “New York State, the County Police, and the U.S. Capitol Police immediately responded with the highest level of professionalism.”
The US Capitol Police shared a statement with JS about the threat.
“Anytime a member of Congress is the victim of a swatting incident, we work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners,” the statement said. “To protect ongoing investigations and minimize the risk of copy-cats, we cannot provide further details at this time.”
Howard Lutnick, Trump’s pick for Secretary of Commerce, reportedly had his home on the Upper East Side the target of a bomb threat in Manhattan. And Lee Zeldin, Trump’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, His house was also targeted.
Pete Hegseth, a former Fox News contributor and Trump’s chosen Secretary of Defense, also had his home targeted. The Guardian reported this.
In a statementthe FBI said it was “aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming government nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement partners.”