FBI Investigates Threats Against Trump Administration Nominees, Including Bomb Alerts
Several members of Donald Trump’s incoming administration have been targeted by threats, including bomb alerts, according to the FBI.
The agency confirmed it is investigating numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents aimed at these nominees and appointees, and it is coordinating with law enforcement to address the situation.
Swatting is a dangerous practice where police are falsely dispatched to a person’s home, often under urgent and false pretenses. These hoax calls have been increasingly used against prominent political figures in recent years.
Among those targeted was Elise Stefanik, a Trump ally chosen to serve as UN ambassador. Her New York residence was the subject of a bomb threat while she and her family were traveling back from Washington for the Thanksgiving holiday. Similarly, Lee Zeldin, nominated to head the Environmental Protection Agency, reported a pipe bomb threat accompanied by a pro-Palestinian message. He and his family were not at home when the threat was made. Other figures who are reportedly targeted include John Ratcliffe, nominated to lead the CIA, and Pete Hegseth, who is being considered for the role of defense secretary.
Trump’s transition team spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, condemned the threats as violent and un-American, highlighting the risks faced by those chosen for his administration. These incidents come at a time when Trump has been rapidly assembling his cabinet, filled with loyalists, though many of them face criticism for lacking experience in their designated roles. The threats directed at these individuals serve as a reminder of the increasing risks associated with high-level political appointments.
The incidents add to a pattern of violence and threats surrounding Trump and his allies. In July, Trump himself was injured in an assassination attempt during a campaign rally, though the shooter was killed by return fire. Earlier in September, another man was arrested for planning to shoot Trump while he was on the golf course in West Palm Beach, Florida. These threats underscore the volatile environment surrounding Trump’s political career and his supporters.
