Republican Rep. Tim Burchett targeted in 'swatting' bomb threat against his own home

KNOXVILLE, TN - A Republican member of Congress has been targeted in a "swatting" bomb threat, drawing emergency responders to his home for a serious and potentially dangerous law enforcement operation.

A spokesperson for the Knox County Sheriff's Department in Tennessee indicated to the Daily Wire that the home of Rep. Tim Burchett was the subject of a threat, spurring a response on Monday. The law enforcement agency did confirm that the threat had been determined to be baseless in a statement, while revealing that an investigation into its circumstances was under way.

Law enforcement made contact with the congressman, and there's no indication that anyone was harmed as as result of the hoax.

"There is an ongoing investigation. Therefore, I am not at liberty to discuss the nature of the threat.”

The United States Capitol Police also revealed that it had been made aware of the threat, while declining to release specific details in the interests of an ongoing law enforcement investigation.

“Anytime a Member of Congress is the victim of a ‘swatting’ incident, we work closely with our local and federal law enforcement partners. To protect ongoing investigations and to minimize the risk of copy-cats, we cannot provide more details at this time.”

The election of Donald Trump to the presidency has been followed by a wave of swatting threats made involving the personal residences of a number of individuals nominated for cabinet positions in the president-elect's incoming administration.

A Trump spokeswoman spoke of the dangerous acts involving the nominees in a late November statement provided to CBS News.

“Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and Administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them," Karoline Leavitt said of the swatting attempts.

“These attacks ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting.’ In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action.”

Swatting consists of making a false report to law enforcement describing a potentially life-threatening situation at an address of the intended victim. Police officers armed with tactical equipment, taking the threat seriously, often make forcible entry to the targeted home, presenting a dangerous situation for both law enforcement and the victim of the crime.

This isn't the first time Burchett was been swatted- with the congressman facing the same situation only earlier this year, according to Tennessee WVLT. The congressman, who has served in federal office since 2019, has not publicly addressed the situation.
 
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Comments

Raconteur

Swatting should be a state felony, with a 5 year minimum sentence. If a person is injured as a result, 10 years minimum. If death results, 20 years.

Mary

If the FBI and local police and dad's would take these threats seriously, they could stop these despicable actions.

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