Michigan Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson said her house was “swatted” twice this week.
“Hateful rhetoric and violent threats have no place in our democracy. Yet twice in the last 48 hours my home was targeted in a disturbing ‘swatting’ attack,” Benson, a Democrat, wrote last night in a post on X. “I’m grateful for the professional, coordinated response from local and federal law enforcement who quickly contained the threat and worked to ensure our safety.”
“Swatting is a form of political violence that is horrific, dangerous and intended to terrify its victims. But hear me clearly: I will not be intimidated,” she added. “These threats never have and never will deter me from my job: ensuring Michigan citizens can have confidence in their secure, fair, accurate elections.”
“Swatting” happens when a false call is made to law enforcement claiming that there is a life-threatening scenario happening in the area. A number of high-profile political figures were the target of swatting attacks this past winter, NBC News reported in January.
The homes of Michigan Democratic Rep. Elissa Slotkin and her Republican challenger in her Senate bid, Mike Rogers, were targets of swatting last week.
Lynsey Mukomel, a spokesperson for Slotkin, said the congresswoman was not home when Michigan state police responded to a false threat.
“This is the latest in a disturbing trend of swatting incidents targeting members of Congress,” Mukomel said in a statement, adding that Slotkin is “deeply grateful for the swift and professional response by law enforcement to this unfortunate incident” and that U.S. Capitol Police will follow up to investigate.
Chris Gustafson, communications director for Rogers’ Senate campaign, said in a statement that the Republican candidate and his family are “beyond grateful for the professionalism and swift response” of the Michigan State Police to the swatting attempt last week.
Gustafson said this was the second time Rogers’ home was a target of swatting, with the first incident happening in 2013 during his time serving in Congress.
“Reports that Rep. Slotkin was also the target yesterday are a clear example of the deeply concerning trend of political violence that has quickly become the norm,” he said. “This kind of violence cannot be tolerated, and it is our hope that those responsible will be quickly prosecuted and held accountable.”
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Publish date : 2024-08-13 07:52:00
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