Over the past few months, several politicians have been the victims of swatting calls. Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) was the latest swatting victim Sunday, making him part of a growing trend.
Emmer posted about the incident on X, stating that no one was home at the time, and thanked the Wright County Sheriff’s Office.
Thankfully, no one was home or injured. I condemn this illegal abuse of police resources.
I want to thank the Wright County Sheriff’s Office for their professionalism and support.
I will have no additional comment on this matter.
— Tom Emmer (@GOPMajorityWhip) January 28, 2024
A Wright County Sheriff’s Office spokesperson confirmed the swatting and told Fox News Digital that law enforcement responded “after a call was received regarding a possible homicide/hostage situation reportedly occurring at the residence.”
“The residence was checked by Wright County Deputies and contact was made with Representative Emmer and his security detail from US Capitol Police,” the statement read. “The report was quickly determined to be unfounded and believed to be an incident of ‘swatting.’ This incident, along with other similar incidents, are under further investigation by the US Capital Police.”
Swatting refers to someone making a false emergency call to harass and target a specific person.
While Emmer is the latest victim of swatting, he is probably not the last.
Last month, several Republican politicians were swatted, even on Christmas Day. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) reported being swatted for the eighth time on Dec. 25. Other politicians that were targeted included Brandon Williams (R-NY) and former South Carolina Gov. (R) and presidential candidate Nikki Haley.
The swatting incidents, which have mainly targeted Republican lawmakers, have involved Democrats as well.
Democratic Boston Mayor Michelle Wu also reported having her house swatted on Christmas Day. A Boston Police Department spokesman confirmed that Wu was the victim of a swatting hoax. According to the spokesman, the caller claimed that he found his wife with another man and shot her. Police determined the call was fake after arriving at the residence.
The White House also received a swatting call.
To tackle the swatting issue, Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) and Sen. Tommy Tuberville (R-AL) introduced a bill earlier this month that would increase the penalty for anyone involved in swatting. Scott stated that the bill would ensure the “cowards” behind the calls “face serious consequences.”
Called the “Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act,” the bill would carry a punishment of up to 20 years if swatting results in someone getting hurt.
