FBI investigates bomb threats, false alarms against Trump cabinet nominees

Several officials chosen and appointed by President-elect Donald Trump to his Cabinet have been the subject of bomb threats and swatting attacks, Trump’s transition team reported Wednesday.

“Last night and this morning, several Cabinet nominees and appointees to President Trump’s administration were subjected to violent and anti-American threats against their lives and those who live with them,” the transition team spokeswoman said in a statement. of Trump, Karoline Leavitt.

He noted that the attacks “range from bomb threats to ‘swatting’. In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those affected. “President Trump and the entire transition team are grateful for your quick action.”

Swatting involves generating an emergency law enforcement response against a targeted victim under false pretenses.

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

Among the targets was the representative of New York, Elise Stefanik, chosen by Trump to be the next ambassador before the United Nations.

Her office said that on Wednesday morning, she, her husband and their 3-year-old son were returning home from Washington to celebrate Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat at their residence in Saratoga County.

“New York State Police, County Police and the United States Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism,” his office said in a statement. “We are incredibly grateful for the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7.”

Meanwhile, in Florida, the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office said in a notice posted on Facebook that it “was notified of a bomb threat referring to former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s alleged mailbox at a home in the Niceville area.” “around 9 this morning.”

Although a family member resides at the address, they said “former Congressman Gaetz is NOT a resident.

However, the mailbox was searched and no devices were found. The immediate area was also searched with negative results.”

Gaetz was Trump’s initial choice for the position of Secretary of Justice, but withdrew amid accusations of having paid women for sex and sleeping with underage women. Gaetz has vehemently denied any wrongdoing and said last year that a Justice Department investigation into allegations involving underage women ended without charges being filed against him.

The threats come after a political campaign marked by unusual violence. In July, a gunman opened fire at a Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, wounding the then-candidate in the ear and killing one of his supporters.

The US Secret Service later thwarted another assassination attempt at Trump’s golf course in West Palm, Florida, when an agent spotted the barrel of a gun peeking through a perimeter fence while Trump was golfing.

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