Stefanik, NY’s Zeldin among Trump picks targeted by bomb threats, ‘swatting’ calls

Two New Yorkers appointed to high-level positions in the incoming Trump administration were among at least five appointees targeted by bomb threats and other false alerts that sent law enforcement teams to their homes.

Rep. Elise Stefanik, a five-term congresswoman tapped to be ambassador to the United Nations, was driving home in Washington, D.C.’s Saratoga County with her husband and 3-year-old son on Wednesday when she she was told about the bomb threat against her houseaccording to a statement from her office.

“New York State, county law enforcement and the U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest level of professionalism,” Stefanik’s staff said. “We are incredibly grateful for the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7.”

The other New Yorker was former Rep. Lee Zeldin, who announced Wednesday that a bomb threat was made against his Long Island home while he and his family were away. Zeldin, a 2022 gubernatorial candidate who has been named administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency, said the threat was “sent with a pro-Palestinian message.”

They were among at least five people chosen to serve in the Trump administration whose homes were allegedly targeted by bomb threats or “knock-in” calls, which are meant to provoke an armed police response. These “violent, un-American threats” were made Tuesday night and Wednesday morningsaid Karoline Leavitt, spokeswoman for the Trump-Vance transition team.

Other individuals subject to similar threats, according to published reports, include: Pete Hegseth, the Fox New commentator who was appointed secretary of defense and lives in Tennessee; Matt Gaetz, the former Florida congressman who was tapped to be attorney general but later withdrew his name (after leaving his seat in the House); and Brooke Rollins, who lives in Texas and is Trump’s pick to be Secretary of Agriculture.

An FBI official told USA Today on Wednesday that the bureau is investigating “numerous bomb threats and hit-and-run incidents targeting future administration nominees and appointees.”

“We are working with our law enforcement partners,” the official said. “We take all potential threats seriously and, as always, encourage members of the public to report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement immediately.”

Chris McKenna covers government and politics for The Journal News and the USA Today Network. Contact him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on the Rockland/Westchester Journal News: Trump picks bomb threats: Elise Stefanik, Lee Zeldin among targets