FBI Launches Probe After Trump’s Cabinet Picks Recieve Bomb Threats

President-elect Donald Trump's transition team members were a target of bomb threats and “swatting” this week. FBI has launched an investigation into these threats.

By : ABP News Bureau | Updated at : 28 Nov 2024 09:10 AM (IST)

These threats come after Trump had become a target of two assassination attempts during campaigning.
Source : X/Donald Trump

President-elect Donald Trump’s top cabinet and administration appointees have been targeted by bomb threats and “swatting” this week, a spokesperson for the transition team said on Wednesday. The US Federal Bureau Of Investigation (FBI) has said it was investigating this matter. 

According to a Reuters report, these threats were made on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning following which law enforcement swiftly took action to ensure the safety of the people targeted, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said in a statement.

Among those targeted were New York Representative Elise Stefanik, Trump’s pick to serve as the next ambassador to the United Nations; Matt Gaetz, Trump’s initial pick to serve as attorney general; Oregon Representative Lori Chavez-DeRemer, whom Trump chose to lead the Department of Labor, and former New York congressman Lee Zeldin, who has been tapped to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.

Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee to be US defence secretary, said on Wednesday evening that his family had been the target of a pipe bomb threat.

"This morning, a police officer arrived at our home - where our seven children were still sleeping. The officer notified my wife and I that they had received a credible pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family. We are all safe and the threat has been cleared," Hegseth said on X.

An FBI spokesperson said the bureau is aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees and was working with its law enforcement partners. 

Swatting is the filing of false reports to police to induce a potentially heavy, armed response by officers at someone's home. Law enforcement experts see it as a form of intimidation or harassment that is increasingly being used to target prominent figures.

"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 FBI spokesperson said.

In a statement on Wednesday, Stefanik revealed that she, her husband, and their 3-year-old son were travelling from Washington DC to their family home in New York State when they were alerted to a threat against their home. Lee Zeldin also said that he and his family had been targeted, with a pipe bomb with a “pro-Palestinian themed message”.

"A pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message," Zeldin said in a statement posted on X. "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."

Former Republican congressman Matt Gaetz had also been targeted with a bomb threat. But the sheriff’s office later said that his mailbox was cleared and areas surrounding it were also searched “with negative results”

Gaetz was Trump’s first nominee to be US attorney general, he withdrew his name from consideration on November 21 after he faced opposition from US Senate Republicans over the alleged sexual misconduct, which he denies. 

Spokesperson Leavitt said law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted and Trump and his transition team are grateful.

According to the Associated Press (AP), law enforcement was also looking into whether Susie Wiles, Trump’s incoming chief of staff, and Pam Bondi, the former Florida attorney general whom Trump has chosen as Gaetz’s replacement and other incoming administration officials were also victims. They are also checking to see how they were targeted. 

White House spokesperson Saloni Sharma said President Joe Biden had been briefed and the White House is in touch with federal law enforcement and Trump’s transition team. "The president and the administration unequivocally condemn threats of political violence," Sharma said.

These threats come after Trump was targeted in two assassination attempts. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, grazing the then-candidate’s ear with a bullet and killing one of his supporters. Later, the Secret Service foiled another assassination attempt at Trump’s golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida, after an agent spotted a gun barrel protruding through a perimeter fence while Trump was golfing.

Published at : 28 Nov 2024 09:07 AM (IST)
Tags :
DOnald Trump Bomb Threats TRUMP President-elect Trump Swatting

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