At least 15 conservative media figures have become targets of dangerous “swatting” attacks in one week, as federal authorities mobilize to track down perpetrators of what officials are calling “political terrorism.”
Top Takeaways
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel are actively investigating a coordinated series of swatting attacks targeting conservative commentators and journalists.
- Swatting involves making false emergency calls to dispatch armed police to someone’s home, creating potentially deadly situations for victims and responding officers.
- The attacks follow a pattern, often accompanied by unordered pizza deliveries with instructions to “bang on door,” suggesting a coordinated campaign.
- A bipartisan bill has been introduced to impose harsher penalties for swatting, including up to 20 years in prison for calls resulting in serious injury or death.
- Federal officials have pledged to use all available resources to track down perpetrators, emphasizing that the issue transcends politics and represents a serious threat to public safety.
Federal Response to Coordinated Attacks
The Department of Homeland Security and FBI have launched coordinated investigations into what appears to be an organized campaign targeting conservative media figures with dangerous “swatting” calls. Since March 11, at least 15 conservative commentators and journalists have reported being victims of these false emergency calls, which dispatch heavily armed police to their homes under the pretense of an ongoing crisis. The pattern and timing of these incidents suggest coordination rather than random attacks.
FBI Director Kash Patel addressed the situation directly in a social media statement, confirming federal involvement in identifying those responsible. The dangerous practice has been condemned by officials across the political spectrum as a form of domestic terrorism that endangers both victims and responding law enforcement officers.
“I want to address the alarming rise in ‘Swatting’ incidents targeting media figures,” Patel wrote in a social media post Friday. “The FBI is aware of this dangerous trend, and my team and I are already taking action to investigate and hold those responsible accountable.”
The Dangerous Reality of Swatting
Swatting involves making false emergency calls to police, typically reporting situations like hostage scenarios, active shooters, or bomb threats that trigger immediate, tactical responses from law enforcement. Victims suddenly find themselves confronted by armed officers prepared for extreme danger. The tactic puts both the targets and responding officers in potentially deadly situations. Several victims have reported being ordered out of their homes at gunpoint, a terrifying experience that could easily escalate with a single misunderstanding.
Swatted for a second time in 12 hours. Here’s the video.
Long live InfoWars. pic.twitter.com/H0nIt8NjcC
— Chase Geiser (@realchasegeiser) March 12, 2025
A disturbing pattern has emerged in these recent attacks. Multiple victims reported that their swatting incidents were preceded by unsolicited pizza deliveries with specific instructions for delivery drivers to “bang hard on the door.” This premeditated element suggests careful planning by perpetrators who understand how to maximize confusion and danger during police responses.
Government Officials Pledge Action
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem has taken a firm stance against the perpetrators, vowing that her department will use all available resources to identify and prosecute those responsible. Noem emphasized that the DHS has sophisticated capabilities to trace and track those making these false emergency calls, regardless of attempts to hide their identity. The issue has drawn attention across party lines, with officials stressing that swatting represents a threat to public safety that transcends political affiliation.
Rep. Brandon Gill has been particularly vocal about the dangers of swatting, characterizing it as a form of “political terrorism” that must be stopped. A bipartisan bill has been introduced to impose harsher penalties for swatting, including up to 20 years in prison for calls that result in serious injury or death. The legislation reflects growing concern about the practice and recognition of its potential to cause tragedy.
Potential Motivations and Ongoing Threats
Some analysts have suggested the recent wave of swatting incidents may be linked to the victims’ commentary on Ukraine, though officials have not confirmed any specific motivation. What is clear is that the attacks appear targeted and coordinated rather than random. Victims have shared their experiences on social media, highlighting both the immediate danger they faced and the ongoing psychological impact of knowing they were deliberately targeted.
Law enforcement agencies across the country are now working to develop protocols for responding to potential swatting calls, balancing the need for swift action in genuine emergencies with awareness that such calls may be false. The FBI’s involvement signals recognition of the seriousness of these incidents and their potential interstate nature. Officials stress that identifying and prosecuting perpetrators remains a top priority to deter future attacks.
