Multiple Trump appointees targeted by bomb threats, swatting
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Rep. Elise Stefanik at a press conference at the Republican National Committee headquarters in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 18, 2024. Photo: Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images.
Several of the President-elect Trump's cabinet nominees and other administration appointees were the targets of bomb threats on Tuesday and Wednesday, according to the Trump transition team.
Why it matters: The subjects include Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.), Trump's nominee for ambassador to the United Nations, and former Rep. Lee Zeldin (R-N.Y.), his pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency.
- A family member of former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), Trump's now-withdrawn first choice for attorney general, was also targeted, law enforcement said.
What they're saying: "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," transition spokesperson Karoline Leavitt.
- The threats "ranged from bomb threats to 'swatting,'" Leavitt said, adding that law enforcement "acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted."
Stefanik's office said she and her husband were "informed of a bomb threat to their residence" while driving from Washington, D.C., to her upstate New York congressional district.
- "New York State, County law enforcement, and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism," they added.
- The Capitol Police told Axios: "Anytime a Member of Congress is the victim of a 'swatting' incident, we work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners."
- "To protect ongoing investigations and to minimize the risk of copy-cats, we cannot provide more details at this time," the USCP said.
Zeldin said in a statement that "a pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message."
- "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," he added.
The Okaloosa County, Florida sheriff's office said on social media that a bomb threat was discovered in the mailbox of a home where one of Gaetz's relatives resides.
- Gaetz is not a resident of the house, the department said
- "The mailbox however was cleared and no devices were located. The immediate area was also searched with negative results," they added.
Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-Ore.), Trump's nominee for Labor secretary, said in a statement posted to social media: "Last night, my family and I were targeted with a pipe bomb threat at our Oregon home."
Defense secretary nominee Pete Hegseth said in a social media post: "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.
Editor's note: This story has been updated with the latest threats.
