Conservative media figures are being targeted by ‘swatting’ attacks, prompting DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel to launch investigations into what some officials are now calling domestic terrorism.
Key Takeaways
- DHS Secretary Noem and FBI Director Patel have vowed to trace, track, and prosecute perpetrators of swatting calls targeting conservative media figures.
- At least 15 conservative commentators and journalists have been victims of swatting attacks within a single week, often accompanied by unordered pizza deliveries.
- Swatting involves making false emergency calls to send armed police to someone’s home, creating potentially deadly situations for both victims and law enforcement.
- A bipartisan bill has been introduced to impose harsher penalties for swatting, with up to 20 years in prison for calls resulting in serious injury or death.
- Officials believe the attacks are coordinated and possibly linked to victims’ commentary on Ukraine.
Federal Officials Take Action Against Swatting Wave
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel have committed to investigating and prosecuting individuals responsible for a recent surge in swatting incidents. The dangerous tactic involves making false emergency calls to law enforcement to trigger armed police responses at victims’ homes. These coordinated attacks have specifically targeted conservative media personalities, raising concerns about politically motivated domestic terrorism. DHS officials have emphasized their technological capabilities to trace perpetrators, with Noem promising swift action against those responsible.
FBI Director Patel confirmed the bureau’s commitment to addressing what he described as a “dangerous trend” in swatting incidents. The attacks have created life-threatening situations for victims and responding officers, with victims often finding themselves confronted by armed police responding to fabricated emergency reports. Law enforcement officials stress that each incident diverts crucial resources from genuine emergencies while putting lives at risk, demonstrating why federal authorities are treating these cases with increasing severity.
Coordinated Campaign Targeting Conservative Voices
Since March 11, at least 15 conservative media figures have reported being victims of swatting attacks. The victims include InfoWars reporter Chase Geiser, independent journalist Nick Sortor, and conservative commentator Gunther Eagleman, among others. Many have shared their experiences on social media, highlighting the dangerous pattern and coordination behind these incidents. The attacks appear to follow a similar pattern, with victims often receiving unwanted pizza deliveries with instructions for delivery drivers to “bang on door” shortly before armed police arrive.
Radio host Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo described his terrifying experience when armed police surrounded his home responding to a false report. The coordinated nature of these attacks has led investigators to explore potential connections to victims’ political commentary, particularly regarding Ukraine. Law enforcement officials note similarities in methods and timing that suggest organized efforts rather than random incidents. The pattern has heightened concerns about politically motivated targeting of specific media personalities.
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
Legislative Response and Political Implications
A bipartisan bill has been introduced to impose stricter penalties for swatting, including up to 20 years in prison for incidents resulting in serious injury or death. The legislation reflects growing recognition of swatting as a form of terrorism rather than a mere prank. Representative Brandon Gill has explicitly labeled these incidents as “political terrorism,” emphasizing the potential for fatal outcomes and the urgent need to end such attacks. The bill aims to provide law enforcement with stronger tools to prosecute perpetrators.
Both DHS Secretary Noem and FBI Director Patel have emphasized that addressing swatting transcends political affiliations, representing a threat to public safety that demands a unified response. As investigations continue, law enforcement agencies are coordinating efforts to identify the individuals responsible for these dangerous false reports.
