House Speaker Mike Johnson called on President Joe Biden and other Democrats to “speak up” after Donald Trump’s transition team said his Cabinet picks had been targeted by “violent” threats.
Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman Karoline Leavitt said in a statement shared Wednesday morning to X (formerly Twitter) that “several” of the president-elect’s nominees had been “targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them” on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning.
“These attacks ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting,'” said Leavitt, referring to the practice of sending police rushing to a target’s home by falsely reporting a crime or emergency. “Law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted.”
Johnson shared Leavitt’s statement to his X account later on Wednesday while tying the incidents to assassination attempts on Trump earlier this year. He accused the current president of failing to fulfill an “obligation” to “condemn” threats against potential members of the incoming administration.
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“This year, there was not just one but TWO assassination attempts on President Trump,” Johnson wrote. “Now some of his Cabinet nominees and their families are facing bomb threats. This is dangerous and unhinged. It is not who we are in America. Joe Biden and all Democrat leaders have an obligation to speak up and condemn this now.”
One hour later, NBC News digital reporter Kathryn Watson shared on X quotes from a White House spokesperson who said that Biden had been informed of the threats and that he and the rest of his administration “unequivocally” condemned the incidents.
“The president has been briefed,” the spokesperson reportedly said. “The White House is in touch with federal law enforcement and the president-elect’s team and continues to monitor the situation closely.
“Federal law enforcement’s response, alongside state and local authorities, remains ongoing,” the spokesperson added. “The president and the administration unequivocally condemn threats of political violence.”
Newsweek reached out for comment to the offices of Johnson and Trump via email on Wednesday.
The Associated Press reported on Wednesday that Trump nominees targeted with the threats included congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who was nominated as the next U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, and former congressman Lee Zeldin, Trump’s choice for administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency.
A statement posted to Stefanik’s X account said that the congresswoman had been informed of a “bomb threat” at her residence on Wednesday morning.
“This morning, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, her husband, and their three year old son were driving home to Saratoga County from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence,” the statement reads.
“New York State, County law enforcement, and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism,” it continues. “We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7.”
Zeldin said in an X post that his family was unharmed after being targeted with a “pipe bomb” that was purportedly sent to his home alongside “a pro-Palestinian themed message.”
“A pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message,” Zeldin wrote. “My family and I were not home at the time and are safe.”
“We are working with law enforcement to learn more as this situation develops,” he added. “We are thankful for the swift actions taken by local officers to keep our family, neighbors, and local community secure.”
Former congressman Matt Gaetz, who was nominated as Trump’s initial pick for U.S. attorney general but withdrew amid concerns that he would not be confirmed in the Senate, was also reportedly targeted and wrote “same” in a response to Zeldin’s post.
