Several members of US President-elect Donald Trump’s administration and cabinet picks have been targeted with threats, including bomb scares and “swatting” incidents, according to his spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt.
In a statement on Wednesday, Leavitt revealed that the incidents occurred late Tuesday and early Wednesday, prompting swift law enforcement responses to safeguard those affected.
Leavitt refrained from specifying the individuals targeted or detailing the exact nature of the threats. However, she characterized the incidents as ranging from bomb threats to “swatting” – a dangerous hoax in which false reports of criminal activity are made to trigger a heavily armed police response at someone’s residence.
“With President Trump as our example, dangerous acts of intimidation and violence will not deter us,” Leavitt stated.
The FBI and the department of justice have not yet commented on the incidents.
These recent threats add to a growing list of incidents targeting Trump and his associates. In July, Trump sustained a minor ear injury in an assassination attempt in Pennsylvania. Another individual was charged with attempted assassination in September after being discovered with a rifle outside one of Trump’s Florida golf courses.
Trump’s transition team has been actively preparing for his assumption of office following his November 5 election victory. Earlier this week, Trump’s team finalized a memorandum of understanding with the White House, enabling formal collaboration with federal agencies and access to key documents.