Press Article: Bomb Threats Target Trump’s Cabinet Picks Amid Transition
In a troubling escalation, several of President-elect Donald Trump’s Cabinet nominees and appointees received bomb threats and were victims of "swatting" attacks, prompting an investigation by the FBI. This disturbing trend, according to Trump’s transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt, included violent threats against their lives and the safety of their families.
Among those targeted were prominent figures such as Rep. Elise Stefanik, slated to become the U.N. Ambassador, and former Rep. Lee Zeldin, appointed to lead the Environmental Protection Agency. Notably, bomb threats disrupted Stefanik’s family Thanksgiving plans as they were informed of a threat to their home in New York while driving back from Washington. Police found no explosives upon their arrival.
Zeldin also reported a pipe bomb threat linked to a pro-Palestinian message, affirming his family’s safety. Similarly, reports emerged of threats directed at former Congressman Matt Gaetz, although he is not a resident of the address involved in the threat.
Law enforcement agencies are further examining potential threats against incoming staff, including Trump’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles. The FBI confirmed its awareness of and investigation into these incidents, categorizing them as politically motivated acts of violence.
President Joe Biden has been briefed and condemned the threats, vowing to monitor the situation closely. In light of a year marked by increasing violence associated with political tensions—including assassination attempts and threats against public figures—Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned these acts as "dangerous and unhinged,” echoing concerns about the safety of public officials.
As investigations continue, the nation grapples with the implications of such threats against its leaders, emphasizing the urgent need for political discourse free from violence.
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