Trump staff says threats, swatting incidents in opposition to a number of Cupboard picks being investigated

The Trump transition staff mentioned Wednesday that a number of of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cupboard and administration picks had been focused in in a single day assaults that ranged from “swatting” incidents to bomb threats.

Trump transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt mentioned in an announcement that regulation enforcement and different authorities responded shortly to the reported threats to make sure the protection of the focused individuals in Trump’s orbit. “Swatting” is the motion of falsely calling emergency companies in an effort to ship armed cops to a particular tackle or goal in a threatening approach. 

“Final evening and this morning, a number of of President Trump’s Cupboard nominees and administration appointees had been focused in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and people who dwell with them,” Leavitt mentioned in an announcement. “These assaults ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting.’ In response, regulation enforcement and different authorities acted shortly to make sure the protection of those that had been focused. President Trump and all the transition staff are grateful for his or her swift motion.” 

Leavitt did not supply specifics about who was focused or the place, however a number of Trump associates shared that they had been focused. Rep. Elise Stefanik, Trump’s decide to be the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, was among the many targets, her workplace mentioned, with a bomb risk to her New York dwelling.

“This morning, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, her husband, and their three yr previous son had been driving dwelling to Saratoga County from Washington for Thanksgiving once they had been knowledgeable of a bomb risk to their residence,” Stefanik’s workplace mentioned in an announcement Wednesday morning. “New York State, County regulation enforcement, and U.S. Capitol Police responded instantly with the best ranges of professionalism. We’re extremely appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of regulation enforcement officers who hold our communities protected 24/7. We wish to share our greatest needs to the Upstate NY neighborhood for a cheerful and protected Thanksgiving. We’re particularly grateful to our regulation enforcement officers and army households who’re on obligation over the vacation season.”

The house of Howard Lutnick, Trump’s decide to be secretary of commerce who’s a transition adviser, was additionally threatened, based on the New York Police Division. NYPD mentioned a 911 name got here in reporting a terrorist bomb risk at his dwelling. 

Former Rep. Lee Zeldin, who Trump tapped to steer the Environmental Safety Company, additionally mentioned he was focused.

“A pipe bomb risk focusing on me and my household at our dwelling at this time was despatched in with a pro-Palestinian themed message,” Lee mentioned in a submit on X. “My household and I weren’t dwelling on the time and are protected. We’re working with regulation enforcement to study extra as this case develops. We’re grateful for the swift actions taken by native officers to maintain our household, neighbors, and area people safe.”

Brooke Rollins, Trump’s decide to be secretary of agriculture, additionally mentioned a “risk was issued” in opposition to her dwelling and household, and thanked the Fort Value, Texas, police division for his or her assist. She mentioned she and her household had been unhurt, and returned dwelling shortly. 

A White Home spokesperson mentioned the president has been briefed on the incidents and “unequivocally” condemns threats of political violence. 

“The White Home is in contact with federal regulation enforcement and the president-elect’s staff, and continues to observe the state of affairs carefully,” the White Home spokesperson mentioned. “Federal regulation enforcement’s response, alongside state and native authorities, stays ongoing. The president and the administration unequivocally condemn threats of political violence.”

The FBI mentioned in an announcement that it is conscious of “quite a few bomb threats and swatting incidents focusing on incoming administration nominees and appointees” and is working with regulation enforcement companions.

“We take all potential threats severely, and as at all times, encourage members of the general public to instantly report something they take into account suspicious to regulation enforcement,” the company mentioned.

U.S. Capitol Police did not tackle particular stories, however mentioned they work carefully with regulation enforcement in
swatting incidents. 

“Anytime a member of Congress is the sufferer of a ‘swatting’ incident, we work carefully with our native and federal regulation enforcement companions,” The U.S. Capitol Police mentioned. “To guard ongoing investigations and to attenuate the danger of copy-cats, we can not present extra particulars right now.” 

The incidents come months after Trump himself was the goal of two tried assassinations —one in Butler, Pennsylvania, on July 13, that left him wounded and one other on Sept. 15, when a man was arrested with a gun 500-700 yards away from Trump at his golf course in West Palm Seaside, Florida. And on Tuesday, the Justice Division mentioned an Arizona man was arrested on Nov. 21 for allegedly making threats in opposition to Trump and his household. 

Since Trump’s victory within the 2024 presidential election, he has introduced most of his picks for prime posts in his administration as he prepares to return to the White Home. A few of the alternatives have been the topic of scrutiny, going through questions on their viability within the Senate’s affirmation course of. One decide, former Rep. Matt Gaetz, withdrew himself from consideration final week. Two sources confirmed to CBS Information that Gaetz was among the many people focused. 

contributed to this report.