Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has announced her department’s commitment to fight swatting incidents targeting conservative news media. Noem, alongside FBI Director Kash Patel, condemned the rise in these dangerous and malicious attacks that endanger the lives of both the victims and law enforcement officers. Swatting refers to the act of falsely reporting a dangerous situation—such as a hostage or active shooter scenario—in order to send armed police officers to the victim’s home.
In a post to X on Wednesday, Noem emphasized that under the leadership of President Trump, her department would take swift action against those responsible for swatting. “We will use [DHS’s] capability to trace phone numbers and track location information to hunt these cowards down,” Noem wrote. “This is an attack on our law enforcement and innocent families, and we will prosecute it as such.” Noem’s statement comes in response to growing concerns over the targeting of conservative media figures, including podcasters, radio hosts, and influencers.
Swatting has grown in scope, with several prominent conservative media figures recently falling victim to this dangerous form of harassment. Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo, a conservative radio host, recounted an incident at his Texas home where he was awakened in the middle of the night by heavily armed deputies in response to a false hostage situation call. Pagliarulo, who was alerted by his security cameras, said he saw deputies armed with AR-15 rifles at his doorstep. “Nothing was wrong in my house. But this guy, wherever he happened to be, was trying to get police to break down the door and possibly either kill me or scare us enough to where I would shut my mouth and not do what I do on the radio every day,” Pagliarulo said, recalling the terrifying experience.
Other media personalities, such as podcasters Nick Sortor and Shawn Farash, as well as InfoWars host Owen Shroyer, reported similar swatting incidents on the same day. These attacks have caused widespread concern about the safety of conservative voices in the media and the potential consequences of such reckless acts.
FBI Director Kash Patel, who was informed about Pagliarulo’s swatting incident, promised to address the rise in these attacks. Patel stated, “We are fully committed to working with local law enforcement to crack down on these crimes.” He continued, “Weaponizing law enforcement against ANY American is not only morally reprehensible but also endangers lives, including those of our officers.”
In addition to the actions by DHS and the FBI, there is also growing bipartisan support to address the swatting problem legislatively. A bipartisan, bicameral bill introduced in January aims to strengthen penalties for those found guilty of making false swatting calls. The bill would impose prison sentences of up to 20 years for calls resulting in serious injury or death. Rep. Brandon Gill, R-Texas, who cosponsored the bill, described swatting as “political terrorism,” calling it a dangerous form of harassment that must be stopped before someone is killed.
The actions being taken by both the FBI and DHS signal that the fight against swatting is gaining traction and that those who engage in such criminal activities will be pursued and held accountable.
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It’s all political. Next to Red Flag laws which can be abused so badly by spiteful or hateful people; swatting is simply domestic terrorism via law enforcement who have been called. Someone is going to be badly hurt one day; this should be stopped quickly. Ask Marjorie Taylor Greene about swatting!!!