Trump team says threats, swatting incidents against multiple Cabinet picks being investigated
CBSN
The Trump transition team said Wednesday that several of President-elect Donald Trump's Cabinet and administration picks were targeted in overnight attacks that ranged from "swatting" incidents to bomb threats.
Trump transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement that law enforcement and other authorities responded quickly to the reported threats to ensure the safety of the targeted people in Trump's orbit. "Swatting" is the action of falsely calling emergency services in an effort to send armed police officers to a specific address or target in a threatening way.
"Last night and this morning, several of President Trump's Cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them," Leavitt said in a statement. "These attacks ranged from bomb threats to 'swatting.' In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire transition team are grateful for their swift action."
A group of House Democrats Tuesday called for action from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, days after CBS News published an investigation which found dozens of law enforcement officials illegally sold firearms, even weapons of war, across 23 states, Puerto Rico and Washington, D.C.