According to a recent review, there has been a surge in attempted "swatting attacks" targeting more than a dozen public officials since Christmas. These calls have specifically targeted judges overseeing cases against former President Donald Trump, politicians from both parties, a prosecutor, and even the White House. The alarming rise in swatting incidents across the country is a cause for concern.
Understanding Swatting
Swatting is a highly dangerous and illegal scheme where individuals make false emergency calls with the intention of provoking law enforcement agencies to dispatch SWAT teams to the residences of public figures, celebrities, or even their adversaries. The primary goal of swatting is to harass and intimidate these individuals.
Republican Representative Brandon Williams, who himself fell victim to a swatting incident on Christmas Day at his home in Cayuga County, New York, described it as an "assassination attempt." He further emphasized that these perpetrators are actively seeking violent encounters between the targeted individuals and the police.
On Tuesday, a swatting incident occurred at the home of Congressman Williams. The unidentified swatter made a false call to the police, claiming that there was a shooting at Williams' residence. As law enforcement officers rushed to the scene, Williams cooperated by walking out of his house with his hands raised in the air. In an interview with CBS News, Williams emphasized the importance of de-escalating such situations and praised the police for their dedication to their job.
Recent Swatting Targets
According to a review of police, FBI, and court records by CBS News, there have been several other swatting attempts in the past three weeks. These include incidents involving special counsel Jack Smith, who is overseeing the criminal prosecution of former President Donald Trump, and federal judge Tanya Chutkan, who is assigned to the case. Other notable targets of swatting calls include Senator Rick Scott, Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, Georgia elections official Gabriel Sterling, and even the White House itself, where a false call about a suspected fire prompted a significant emergency response.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, a Democrat, was also targeted by a swatter after announcing her ruling that Trump's name should be removed from her state's primary election ballot. Bellows believes that the timing of the swatting incident was not a coincidence.
According to Bellows, the messages she received seemed deliberately crafted to intimidate or silence her.
Smith, in an interview with CBS News, expressed concern over the repeated swatting calls, stating that they would deplete the resources of the individuals involved. He also emphasized the potential danger posed by each swatting response.
"This is not a joke like having someone deliver a pizza to your house. This is a serious matter. The response teams are real, armed with real guns and ammunition. Someone who is unaware of this may try to protect themselves out of fear," Smith warned. "Ultimately, an innocent person could get hurt or killed."
In 2017, a swatting incident in Wichita, Kansas resulted in the tragic shooting of an innocent individual by the police. The perpetrator, a man from Los Angeles, pleaded guilty and received a 20-year prison sentence for his actions.
"It's dangerous for the police because if they encounter someone at a residence, or where they've been dispatched, that knows nothing about this, they may defend themselves. It's a very harmful, dangerous scenario for all involved."
None of the swatting incidents targeting public officials in the recent outbreak have resulted in arrests.
The Christmas Day swatting incident at Williams' home disrupted holiday celebrations and rattled his family members. His family asked, "'Are you safe? What happens next? Who's the next person coming up the driveway?'"
After the unexpected drama of the police response was over, Williams handed the deputies small bags filled with holiday cookies. "You have to empathize with the police who respond," he said.
Sen. Rick Scott has proposed new legislation to expand criminal statutes to include swatting as a federal crime. "This legislation would impose strict penalties for swatting, including up to 20 years in prison if someone is seriously hurt because of a swatting attack," Scott said.
