House Majority Whip Rep. Tom Emmer (R-MN) said his home was swatted.
The GOP lawmaker is the latest public servant to be swatted in the last several weeks.
Rep. Tom Emmer says home was "swatted" https://t.co/MUn0LYCxC1 pic.twitter.com/Zkxk1oDKfU
— The Hill (@thehill) January 29, 2024
“Tonight my family and I were the target of a ‘swatting’ incident involving a 911 prank call that wrongly diverted a police presence to my home. Sadly, this illegal and dangerous scheme is being used nationwide to target elected officials,” Emmer said Saturday night.
“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,” he added.
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
The Hill reports:
Numerous members of Congress have been targeted by the fake calls in recent weeks. Swatting consists of making fake threats of violence to police to invoke a threatening response that could put the victim at risk.
Other recent victims include presidential candidate Nikki Haley, who said Saturday her home was targeted by a hoax call last month. Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.) are also among the victims.
None of the swatting incidents has resulted in any injury.
Sens. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) and Tommy Tuberville (R-Ala.) unveiled a bill earlier this month aimed at increasing the penalties for swatting incidents. Scott was a swatting victim last month.
Scott said the bill would ensure the “cowards” behind these swatting calls “face serious consequences.”
U.S. Capitol Police are investigating the incident.
Congressman Tom Emmer says his home was 'swatted,' decries waste of police resources https://t.co/JVOWCcdiwi
— KARE 11 (@kare11) January 29, 2024
From CBS News:
Authorities are investigating what they believe was a swatting incident at Rep. Tom Emmer’s home west of the Twin Cities over the weekend.
According to the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, deputies responded shortly after 6 p.m. Saturday to Emmer’s home in Delano. They were responding to a report of a “possible homicide/hostage situation” at the residence, the sheriff’s office said.
Deputies checked the residence and determined the report to be unfounded. Authorities were able to get in contact with Emmer and his U.S. Capitol Police security detail.