Trump Administration Nominees Targeted with Bomb and Swatting  Threats

Trump Administration Nominees Targeted with Bomb and Swatting Threats

Several of Donald Trump’s cabinet picks, including Elise Stefanik and Lee Zeldin, faced alarming bomb threats and "swatting" incidents this week, a spokesperson for the transition team reported on Wednesday. Stefanik is Trump's choice to be US ambassador to the United Nations, while Zeldin is nominated to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.

Threats Made Against Trump’s Cabinet Picks

The threats occurred on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, prompting law enforcement to act quickly to ensure the safety of those targeted, according to spokesperson Karoline Leavitt. Both Elise Stefanik, a Republican US representative, and Lee Zeldin, a former Republican congressman, confirmed they were the targets of serious bomb threats.

On Wednesday evening, Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for defense secretary, revealed that his family had received a pipe bomb threat. He stated, "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."

FBI Investigates Threats

An FBI spokesperson confirmed that the bureau is aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees. They are actively working with law enforcement partners to address these serious threats. Swatting—the act of filing false reports to police to induce a heavily armed response—is increasingly used to intimidate prominent figures.

The FBI spokesperson stated, "We take all potential threats seriously and encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement. "

Stefanik's Statement on the Threat

In her statement on Wednesday, Elise Stefanik shared that she, her husband, and their 3-year-old son were driving from Washington, DC, to their family home in New York state when they were informed of the threat against their home.