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Swatting means deceiving emergency services into dispatching a police or emergency response team to someone’s location.
Swatting threats target Trump’s incoming administration. (Photo Credit: X)
Several people nominated to President-elect Donald Trump’s administration have been hit by swatting incidents, according to the FBI. Karoline Leavitt, the spokesperson of Trump’s transition team, condemned these incidents, calling them “violent” and “un-American.”
What is Swatting?
Swatting is the practice of deceiving emergency services into dispatching a police or emergency response team to someone’s location. The phrase comes from the SWAT forces typically used to deal with these situations. Swatting incidents can involve various fictitious emergencies, including:
Hostage situations
Active shooter threats
Bomb threats
Murders
Suicidal individuals with weapons
Hazardous material incidents
The perpetrator, often referred to as a swatter, chooses the victim, who might be a famous person or someone they have animosity against.
The swatter then calls an emergency service, providing any urgent scenario that would require immediate attention. The caller might hide their identity and location by using caller ID spoofing.
If the report made enough of an impression and threat to life, emergency dispatchers would call in a SWAT team or other armed forces to the target’s location. When the police arrive on the scene intending to confront someone they believe to be a serious threat, this can lead to unpleasant encounters.
Legal Implications
Swatting is prohibited in all jurisdictions because of its nature as false reporting. While in many states it falls under the ambit of the misdemeanour, it is still a felony if done under certain conditions. Aggravated swatting is considered a third-degree felony and it is punishable with some serious repercussions such as fines and imprisonment. For example, the people who participate in fatal swatting cases can face a punishment of 20 years in prison.
Trump’s Cabinet and Swatting
Leavitt, in a statement, said that threats were made Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Police reacted promptly and the individuals endangered were ensured protection in due course.
“With President Trump as our example, dangerous acts of intimidation and violence will not deter us,” Leavitt said.
Trump, however, has been silent about the alleged threats.
