Multiple GOP Lawmakers Fall Victim To “Swatting”

WASHINGTON, DC - MAY 11: Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) speaks on border security and Title 42 during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on May 11, 2023 in Washington, DC. With the expiration of Title 42, the COVID-era public health emergency that allows for the quick expulsion of migrants, the southern border is expected to see a surge in asylum seekers. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images) — Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) speaks on border security and Title 42 during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol on May 11, 2023 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images)

OAN’s Taylor Tinsley
11:55 AM – Thursday, December 28, 2023

Florida Senator Rick Scott has become the latest Republican lawmaker to fall victim to swatting.

Police responded to calls of a shooting at Scott’s residence just after 9 p.m. on Wednesday night, but concluded that it was a swatting attempt less than 15 minutes after their arrival.

Last night, while at dinner with my wife, cowards “swatted” my home in Naples. These criminals wasted the time & resources of our law enforcement in a sick attempt to terrorize my family.

Ann & I want to thank @NaplesPolice & @CollierSheriff for all they do to keep us safe.
— Rick Scott (@SenRickScott) December 28, 2023

Swatting refers to when a person calls the police in order to report a fake incident, prompting a SWAT team to respond to the victim’s house.

The incident comes after Representatives Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.) were both swatted on Christmas day.

I was just swatted.

This is like the 8th time.

On Christmas with my family here.

My local police are the GREATEST and shouldn’t have to deal with this.

I appreciate them so much and my family and I are in joyous spirits celebrating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ!
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) December 25, 2023

Authorities said that a man in New York called the Georgia suicide hotline and claimed that he shot his girlfriend and was going to shoot himself next, giving them Greene’s address.

Police discovered it was a phony call before dispatching to the lawmakers residence. Authorities then got in touch with the security detail and determined there was no threat.

According to the Rome Police Department, there have been at least 18 swatting calls to Greene’s home since December of 2020.

“If we’ve been called out on a false call we could be depleting the resources from someone who truly needs an emergency response,” said Kelly Madden with the Rome Police Department. “What if that was a baby that’s choking? What if that was a burning car?”

In a separate incident, on Wednesday, Greene also posted to her X (Twitter) profile, saying that one of her family members had been swatted.

The dangerous swatting harassment continues, as tonight, one of my family members was swatted at their house.

I will be introducing legislation to make it much easier for law enforcement to arrest and prosecutors to prosecute these criminals.
— Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene🇺🇸 (@RepMTG) December 28, 2023

Representative Williams said that deputies had contacted him before arriving at his residence and that they later left with “homemade cookies and spice nuts.”

Our home was swatted this afternoon. Thanks to the Deputies and Troopers who contacted me before arriving.

They left with homemade cookies and spiced nuts! Merry Christmas everyone! pic.twitter.com/uQ2xkzLVJ6
— Rep. Brandon Williams (@RepWilliams) December 25, 2023

Notably, all congressional lawmakers that have been swatted are Republicans running for re-election. However, it is unclear whether the incidents are connected.

Meanwhile, at least four current or former GOP state lawmakers homes were swatted on Tuesday. Those members included State Representative Kevin Miller (R-Ohio), former Representative Rick Carfagna (R-Ohio), Senator Andrew Brenner (R-Ohio) and Attorney General Dave Yost (R-Ohio).

All of the Ohio lawmakers that were targeted had supported efforts to enact a law that makes swatting a felony in the state, which went into effect earlier this year.

Authorities are now reportedly investigating all of the incidents as well as emphasizing that phony calls take away from real life-threatening situations that police have an urgency to respond to.