In a troubling development, several of U.S. President-elect Donald Trump's incoming Cabinet and administration picks have been targeted by bomb threats and swatting incidents, according to the Trump transition team.
Karoline Leavitt, Trump's transition spokeswoman, addressed the situation on Wednesday, stating, \"Last night and this morning, several of President Trump's Cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted in violent, un-American threats to their lives and those who live with them.\" She added that the attacks ranged from bomb threats to swatting, though specific details about the targeted individuals were not disclosed.
Swatting involves making false reports to law enforcement, prompting a massive, armed response to an innocent person's location. Fortunately, law enforcement and other authorities acted swiftly to ensure the safety of those targeted, as confirmed in a statement posted on X.
Among those affected are Susie Wiles, Trump's incoming White House chief of staff; Pam Bondi, Trump's pick for U.S. attorney general; Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, designated as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations; Howard Lutnick, chosen to be secretary of commerce; and Brooke Rollins, selected as secretary of agriculture. These incidents were reported by CBS News.
A White House spokesperson informed that Democratic U.S. President Joe Biden has been briefed about the threats. The spokesperson emphasized, \"The president and the administration unequivocally condemn threats of political violence.\"
These threats escalate concerns following previous attempts on Trump's safety, including an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania in July and a separate incident in September where a man was charged with attempted assassination outside one of Trump's Florida golf courses.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
