Republicans in the House Oversight committee have summoned FBI Director Kash Patel and Attorney General Pam Bondi to get more information on the "recent increase" in swatting incidents which, they say, "appear to be targeting individuals based on their political affiliation."
Concretely, Rep. Clay Higgins, chair of the House Oversight's Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement, is requesting information from the agencies "on the steps being taken to thoroughly investigate these incidents of political violence and hold those responsible accountable."
🚨NEW🚨
— Oversight Committee (@GOPoversight) March 20, 2025
Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement Chairman Clay Higgins (@RepClayHiggins) is investigating the growing number of "swatting" incidents targeting conservatives. Letter here ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/OY4CgDexgu
Patel has confirmed a rise in such incidents, which involves sending armed police to someone's house under false pretenses. "The FBI is aware of this dangerous trend, and my team and I are already taking action to investigate and hold those responsible accountable," he said in a statement last week.
Conservative talk show host Joe Pagliarulo claimed to be victim of a swatting call last week, telling Fox News that he was woken up at 2 a.m. by several armed officials. "[I] called 911 because now we've got to find out — if it's the good guys, I've got to be very careful. If it's the bad guys, I've got to go out with my gun and try to protect my family," he said. Dispatchers confirmed to him that 911 had received a call about a hostage situation in his house. He rejected any such incident was taking place. Media figures Nick Sortor and Shawn Farash reported similar incidents.
The New York Post recalled that a bipartisan bicameral bill was introduced in January to strengthen penalties against swatting, with those found guilty facing up to 20 years in prison if false calls result in serious injury or death.
Department of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has also vowed to go after those responsible for swatting calls, saying her department will "hunt these cowards down." "This is an attack on our law enforcement and innocent families and we will prosecute it as such." she added.
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