Matt Gaetz, Elise Stefanik and Other Trump Appointees Reportedly Targeted With Bomb Threats and Swatting
AP Photo/Andrew Harnik, File
President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team said several of his cabinet nominees and other appointees were targeted Tuesday night with “violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them.”
The team reports that law enforcement “acted quickly” with “swift action” to protect those who will be staffing Trump’s next administration. Incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed in a statement that the threats included bomb threats and swatting.
“Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them,” Leavitt said in a statement on Wednesday morning. “These attacks ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting.'”
— Karoline Leavitt (@karolineleavitt) November 27, 2024
She added, “In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action. President Trump and the Transition are focused on doing the work of uniting our nation by ensuring a safe and prosperous future. With President Trump as our example, dangerous acts of intimidation and violence will not deter us.”
During the 2024 presidential race, Trump faced two assassination attempts, including during a July rally in Butler, Pennsylvania when now-deceased gunman Thomas Matthew Crooks shot at him. Moreover, Secret Service reportedly increased Trump’s security during the election after receiving intel regarding Iran’s plot to assassinate him.
Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY) issued a statement confirming she was a target of a “bomb threat” to her home. Stefanik, the fourth-ranking House Republican, was asked by Trump to serve as the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations.
“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,” said Stefanik. “New York State, County law enforcement, and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism.”
Office of Chairwoman Stefanik released the following statement:
“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…
— Elise Stefanik (@EliseStefanik) November 27, 2024
The home of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-FL), who withdrew his nomination for Trump’s attorney general last week, was searched by a bomb squad team.
NEWS: A bomb squad is responding to the Florida home of former GOP Rep. Matt Gaetz after he received a pipe bomb threat, I’m told.
After the sheriff was made aware of the threat, a bomb-sniffing dog was brought over to sniff the mail box, but it was inconclusive. So that’s why…
— Melanie Zanona (@MZanona) November 27, 2024
Brooke Rollins, Trump’s nominee to lead the Department of Agriculture, also revealed on Wednesday that “a threat was issued against our home and family.”
This morning, we learned that a threat was issued against our home and family. Thanks to the swift efforts by the @fortworthpd, we were unharmed and quickly returned home. I want to express my deep gratitude to the law-enforcement professionals who did their utmost, in both speed… https://t.co/C5RiEcJ7ai
— Brooke Rollins (@BrookeLRollins) November 27, 2024
President Joe Biden’s White House later responded by condemning “threats of political violence” and vowed to “monitor the situation closely.”
“The President has been briefed. The White House is in touch with federal law enforcement and the President-elect’s team, and continues to monitor the situation closely,” said a White House spokesperson said. “Federal law enforcement’s response, alongside state and local authorities, remains ongoing. The President and the Administration unequivocally condemn threats of political violence.”
