- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem pledges to pursue perpetrators of swatting attacks targeting conservative media figures, calling the incidents "cowardly" and dangerous.
- Over a dozen high-profile conservatives have been victimized since March 11, with false emergency calls endangering lives and straining law enforcement.
- Victims include InfoWars reporter Chase Geiser, radio host Joe Pagliarulo, and journalist Nick Sortor, with many describing traumatic experiences.
- Swatting, a form of digital terrorism, has previously led to fatalities, including a 2017 Kansas incident and a recent Tennessee death.
- Bipartisan efforts are underway to impose harsher penalties, with a proposed bill threatening up to 20 years in prison for swatting-related injuries or deaths.
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem has vowed to “hunt these cowards down” following a disturbing wave of swatting incidents targeting conservative media personalities. More than a dozen high-profile conservatives have been victimized in just over a week, with coordinated attacks beginning on March 11.
These dangerous hoaxes, which involve false emergency calls to law enforcement, have put lives at risk and sparked outrage across the political spectrum. Noem’s promise of decisive action underscores the severity of the situation and the federal government’s commitment to protecting free speech and public safety.
A coordinated wave of terror
The string of swatting incidents began on March 11, when InfoWars reporter Chase Geiser was handcuffed at gunpoint outside his home after police received a false report claiming he had threatened to kill his family. Geiser described the harrowing experience in a social media post, recounting how officers used a PA system to order him out of his house. “I was handcuffed in the middle of the street, presumably at gunpoint, though I couldn’t tell because of the light being shined on my face,” he wrote.
The attacks have continued unabated. Conservative radio host Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo was awoken at 2 a.m. by armed deputies responding to a fabricated hostage situation at his Texas home. Pagliarulo, who described the incident as “heart-stopping,” said the caller claimed someone was “bleeding out upstairs” and urged police to “hurry and get inside.”
Similarly, independent journalist Nick Sortor and his family were targeted after his sister received a menacing email. Other victims include conservative commentators Gunther Eagleman, Shawn Farash, and Mike Engleman. These incidents have left families traumatized and law enforcement stretched thin.
Noem’s firm response
Secretary Noem has taken a hardline stance against the perpetrators, emphasizing that such attacks endanger not only the victims but also law enforcement officers. “Under President Trump’s leadership, we will not sit idly by as conservative new media and their families are being targeted by false swatting,” Noem stated on X. She highlighted DHS’s ability to trace phone numbers and track location information, vowing to use these tools to bring the culprits to justice.
The DHS’s official X account echoed Noem’s sentiments, reiterating that swatting is “an attack on our law enforcement and innocent families” and will be prosecuted accordingly. FBI Director Kash Patel has also joined the effort, calling the rise in swatting incidents “alarming” and pledging to hold those responsible accountable.
A dangerous trend with deadly consequences
Swatting is not a harmless prank; it is a form of digital terrorism with potentially deadly consequences. In 2017, a swatting incident in Kansas resulted in the death of Andrew Finch, an innocent man shot by police responding to a false report. More recently, a 60-year-old Tennessee man reportedly died of a heart attack after police responded to a swatting call at his home.
The recent wave of attacks appears to be politically motivated, targeting individuals who are vocal supporters of President Donald Trump and conservative causes. Many of the victims have interacted with high-profile figures like Elon Musk on social media, leading some to speculate about the motives behind the attacks.
The swatting epidemic has drawn bipartisan condemnation, with lawmakers introducing legislation to impose harsher penalties on perpetrators. A bill co-sponsored by Rep. Brandon Gill (R-Texas) would impose prison sentences of up to 20 years for swatting calls that result in serious injury or death. Gill described swatting as “political terrorism” and warned that it could easily lead to tragedy.
Despite the fear and trauma inflicted by these attacks, many victims have vowed to continue speaking out. “If the goal is to frighten people into silence, that won’t work,” said Mat Van Swol, a conservative activist targeted in North Carolina.
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