Nearly a dozen of President-elect Trump’s Cabinet nominees and other appointees were targeted on Tuesday night with “violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them,” prompting a “swift” law enforcement response, according to Fox News Digital.
The “attacks ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting,'” according to Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman and incoming White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. The officials targeted include John Ratcliffe, the nominee to be CIA director; Pete Hegseth, the nominee for secretary of defense; and Rep. Elise Stefanik, the nominee for UN ambassador, among others.
Local law enforcement officials responded to the threats and visited the homes of several nominees and appointees. The FBI also issued a statement, noting that it is “aware” of the spate of incidents and is working with law enforcement partners to investigate.
John Zeldin, who Trump has tapped to be EPA administrator, revealed details about his particular incident, saying that a pipe bomb threat was sent to his home with a pro-Palestinian themed message. Stefanik’s office confirmed that she was also a target, and that a bomb threat was made to her residence.
Brooke Rollins, who Trump has tapped to be secretary of agriculture, said her “home and family” were threatened, and Pete Hegseth revealed that he and his family were targeted in a recent bomb threat.
The White House has condemned the threats and is working with federal, state, and local law enforcement to investigate. It is unclear if the threats are connected to any previous attempts on Trump’s life, including two assassination attempts in July and September.
The incident comes as the country is gearing up for the transition of power to the incoming administration, with President-elect Trump and the transition team focused on ensuring a safe and prosperous future for the nation.
