Swatting Attacks Targeting Politicians Rise Amid Polarized Climate
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Swatting is making a hoax call to police to provoke an armed police response, putting innocent people at risk. Members of the US Congress have been recent targets.
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The FBI set up a national database in 2022 to track swatting incidents and has received over 500 reports so far. High profile people like judges and political figures are often targets.
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Officials like Maine's Secretary of State Shenna Bellows was swatted after announcing a decision against Trump being on a ballot. She and others see a link between these incidents and Trump's false election claims.
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Police are finding it hard to catch swatters who use tech like voice synthesisers and burner phones. A former Secret Service official says the polarized climate likely means more incidents.
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Congressman Brandon Williams sees swatting as a sign of tools being used to increase hate and fear, aimed at disrupting the political system rather than just one side.