Trump’s choice for a new administration is focused on bomb threats and ‘swatting’ | Trump administration

Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s choice for defense secretary, was among several cabinet nominees and appointees of the president-elect’s incoming administration who were hit with bomb threats and so-called “swatting” on Wednesday, the Guardian has learned.

Elise Stefanik, a New York Republican congresswoman and Trump’s pick for US ambassador to the United Nations, who has emerged as a hard-right Trump loyalist in the past few years, was the subject of a bomb threat, her said office.

The home of Howard Lutnick, Trump’s pick for commerce secretary and part of his transition team, was threatened, writes Bronx News 12 reported. And Lee Zeldin, Environmental Protection Agency, saw his Long Island home threatened, News 12 on Long Island as well reported.

Zeldin later published on X says: “A pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian theme.” He said they weren’t home and tried to find out more.

A report also surfaced via CNN that Matt Gaetz was also targeted. The former congressman was Trump’s first choice for US attorney general, but resigned after eight days amid a sexual misconduct scandal that put him at risk of not being confirmed by the Senate.

A Trump spokesman confirmed threats against some of his administration picks, but did not initially provide any names or say how many people had received threats.

The FBI then later said it was involved in the investigation of the incidents.

But Hegseth, the military veteran mired in controversy over his hard-line conservative views and a sex scandal, was understood to be among those under threat, according to two people familiar with the development.

He allegedly received a threat at home about a pipe bomb aimed at him. It was unclear whether the threats involved real weapons or were hoaxes, but as events unfolded in the early afternoon, there were no signs that any bombs had been located. The threat is believed to have prompted a law enforcement bomb squad to deploy to his residence.

Apart from the comment on social media from Zeldin, there were no other comments about a possible motive. Israel’s war in Gaza continues even though a ceasefire was declared with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

A wave of bomb threats also occurred during the election campaign, with election officials and their offices often targeted.

Trump has so far put together one of the most controversial and discordant cabinet teams in US presidential history, much to the delight of his supporters.

The threats were made both Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. Members of law enforcement and various agencies acted quickly to ensure the safety of those targeted, according to Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s spokeswoman and incoming White House press secretary, who released a statement.

Leavitt did not provide further details about the nature of the various threats. Spokesmen for the FBI and the Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Leavitt said the attacks “ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting,'” when a hoax call is made to police designed to get them to send a significant, armed response to someone’s home and cause fear and maximum chaos.

Stefanik’s office said in a post on X: “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. New York State, the county’s law enforcement and the US Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest level of professionalism.”

Wednesday’s development follows two assassination attempts against Trump himself during his election campaign.

On July 13, a shooter fired into the crowd during an open Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, killing two attendees and killing one. Trump was hit by the gunshot, but escaped almost completely unscathed.

Two months later, on September 15, one became a suspect while pointing a gun at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago golf course, where Trump played golf. He was apprehended the same day.

Both incidents prompted the campaigns of both Trump and his rival, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, to adopt increased security during the race. After the shooting in Pennsylvania, Trump often appeared at rallies behind bulletproof glass.