Trump’s Cabinet Nominees, Appointees Targeted With ‘Violent, Un-American Threats’

EXCLUSIVE: Nearly a dozen of President-elect Trump’s Cabinet nominees and other appointees for the incoming administration were hit Tuesday night with “violent, un-American threats against their lives and those who live with them,” prompting a “swift” law enforcement response, Fox News The Digital have learned.

“The attacks ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting,'” according to Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman and incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. One of the officials issued a statement describing his incident as having involved a “pipe bomb threat” with “a pro-Palestinian theme”.

Sources told Fox News Digital that John Ratcliffe, the nominee to be CIA director; Pete Hegseth, the nominee for Secretary of Defense; and rep. Elise Stefanik, the nominee for UN ambassador, was among those affected. Brooke Rollins, Trump’s nominee to be secretary of agriculture, and Lee Zeldin, Trump’s nominee to be EPA administrator, separately disclosed that they were also targeted.

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“Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and administration appointees were the targets of violent, un-American threats against their lives and those who live with them,” she told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. “In response, law enforcement acted quickly to ensure the safety of those targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action.”

Local law enforcement officials responded to the threats and visited several nominees and appointees’ homes, Fox News Digital has learned. New York State Police said in a statement that members and K9 units “trained in explosive detection swept” Stefanik’s home in Saratoga “and found no explosives.”

The FBI also issued a statement Wednesday noting that the agency was “aware” of the spate of incidents.

“The FBI is aware of numerous bomb threats and incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement partners,” it said. “We take all potential threats seriously and, as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.”

Leavitt said Trump and the transition team “are focused on doing the work of uniting our nation by ensuring a secure and prosperous future.”

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“With President Trump as our example, dangerous threats and violence will not deter us,” she said.

Zeldin was among several officials who posted on social media or issued statements about being targeted. He also revealed details of his particular incident.

“A pipe bomb threat directed at me and my family at my home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian message,” Zeldin’s statement read. “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. We are grateful for the quick actions taken by local officers to preserve our family, neighbors and the local community safe.”

Stefanik’s office confirmed in a post on X that she was one of the targets of the incident.

“This morning, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, her husband and their three-year-old son were driving home to Saratoga County from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence,” the post said. “New York State, County law enforcement and the US Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest level of professionalism. We are incredibly grateful for the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7.”

Rollins said in a post on X that her “home and family” were under threat.

“This morning we were told a threat was issued against our home and family,” she wrote. “Thanks to @fortworthpd’s quick response, we were unharmed and returned home quickly. I want to express my deepest gratitude to the law enforcement professionals who did their utmost, both in speed and expertise, to protect us – as they protect our community every day.”

Trump’s pick for Labor secretary, GOP Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, also posted on social media that she was targeted.

“Last night my family and I were hit by a pipe bomb threat at our home in Oregon,” DeRemer published on X. “Thanks to the quick response of the Clackamas County Sheriff’s Office, we are safe. We greatly appreciate their dedication to protecting our community.”

Local police officials in Florida also released a statement that a family member of Matt Gaetz, who recently withdrew as Trump’s attorney general nominee, received a threat, but it is unclear if there is any connection to the other threats.

“We received notification of a bomb threat referencing former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s suspected mailbox at a home in the Niceville area around 9 a.m. this morning,” the Okaloosa County Sheriffs Office posted on Facebook. “A family member lives at the address, but former Congressman Gaetz is NOT a resident. However, the mailbox was cleared and no devices were found. The immediate area was also searched with negative results.”

A White House spokesman said in a statement Wednesday that President Biden has been briefed on the situation.

“The White House is in contact with federal law enforcement and the president-elect’s team and continues to monitor the situation closely,” the spokesman said. “The federal law enforcement response, along with state and local authorities, remains ongoing. The president and administration unequivocally condemn threats of political violence.”

Trump border czar-to-be Tom Homan spoke to Fox News about “The Story” on Wednesday, saying that until today he had not taken threats against himself and his family “seriously,” but after recent developments with other officials who were threatened, now do.

The threats come just months after Trump survived two assassination attempts.

Days before accepting the Republican nomination, Trump was shot at a July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. During the event, Trump showed a chart that highlighted skyrocketing illegal immigration during the Biden-Harris administration. As he turned to face the map, he was struck by a bullet that pierced the upper part of his right ear by the now-deceased assassin, Thomas Matthew Crooks. Trump credits the chart with saving his life.

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Weeks later, in September, another assassin hid in the bushes at the Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida. The alleged gunman, Ryan Wesley Routh, had an AK-47-style rifle pointed through the fence at Trump as the GOP nominee played golf. Trump was rushed off the golf course by US Secret Service agents unharmed.

This is a development story. Please check back for updates.

Fox News Digital’s Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.