As swatting incidents targeting conservative media figures escalate, the Department of Homeland Security and FBI have joined forces to combat this dangerous trend.
Key Takeaways
- Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel are addressing swatting calls targeting conservative media figures.
- Noem emphasized the DHS’s capability to trace and track swatters, promising to prosecute them.
- Several conservative media figures, including Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo, have been victims of swatting incidents.
- A bipartisan bill was introduced to impose stricter penalties on swatting, with up to 20 years in prison for calls resulting in serious injury or death.
DHS and FBI Response to Swatting
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem and FBI Director Kash Patel are taking decisive action against the rise in swatting calls targeting conservative media figures. This collaboration seeks to address the fraudulent emergency calls that mobilize police to innocent victims’ homes. Swatting incidents pose a significant threat to personal safety and waste valuable law enforcement resources. Both agencies are employing advanced technology to track and prosecute those responsible for these dangerous pranks.
Noem has publicly stated that under President Trump’s leadership, action will be taken to prevent conservative media and their families from being targeted by swatting. By reinforcing the partnership between DHS and the FBI, she aims to ensure that swatters will face significant legal repercussions. “We will use it to hunt these cowards down. This is an attack on our law enforcement and innocent families and we will prosecute it as such,” Noem said.
Real-Life Swatting Stories
Several conservative media figures have been affected by this surge in swatting incidents. Radio host Joe “Pags” Pagliarulo recounted a terrifying experience where police responded to a false hostage situation at his residence. Faced with the dilemma of dealing with ‘good guys’ or potential ‘bad guys,’ he was forced to make crucial, split-second decisions for the safety of himself and his family. “[I] called 911 because now we’ve got to find out — if it’s the good guys, I’ve got to be very careful. If it’s the bad guys, I’ve got to go out with my gun and try to protect my family,” said Pagliarulo.
Other figures like Nick Sortor, Shawn Farash, and Owen Shroyer also reported similar incidents, highlighting the widespread nature of this issue. The FBI’s commitment to investigating these cases has been emphasized by Director Patel, who assures that these offenses will not go unchecked.
Bipartisan Legislative Action
In response to this issue, a bipartisan bill has been introduced in Congress to ensure stricter penalties for swatting offenses. Should these fraudulent calls result in serious harm or death, perpetrators may face up to 20 years in prison. Representative Brandon Gill described swatting as “political terrorism,” advocating for strong legislative action to deter future incidents.
With DHS and FBI efforts combined with legislative backing, there is hope for a substantial reduction in swatting incidents. The federal commitment underscores the seriousness with which these acts are viewed, reinforcing the safety of media figures and the efficient use of law enforcement resources.
Sources
1. DHS boss Noem vows to ‘hunt’ down those making swatting calls targeting conservative media
2. DHS boss Noem vows to ‘hunt’ down those making swatting calls targeting conservative media
