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Trump Cabinet nominees and appointees are attacked with “violent, un-American threats.”


Trump Cabinet nominees and appointees are attacked with “violent, un-American threats.”

EXCLUSIVE: Nearly a dozen of President-elect Trump’s Cabinet nominees and other nominees for the new administration were attacked Tuesday night with “violent, un-American threats against their lives and those who live with them,” prompting a “swift” law enforcement response, so Fox News Digital has learned.

The “attacks ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting,'” said Karoline Leavitt, Trump-Vance transition spokeswoman and incoming White House press secretary. One of the officers issued a statement describing his incident as a “pipe bomb threat” with “a pro-Palestinian message.”

Sources told Fox News Digital that John Ratcliffe, the candidate for CIA director; Pete Hegseth, the candidate for Secretary of Defense; and Representative Elise Stefanik, the candidate for UN ambassador, were among those targeted. Brooke Rollins, Trump’s nominee for agriculture secretary, and Lee Zeldin, Trump’s nominee for EPA administrator, separately announced they were also targeted.

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Trump on stage in front of a huge American flag

Former President Trump takes the stage during a campaign rally at the Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, Arizona on August 23. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)

“Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and administration members were victims of violent, un-American threats against their lives and those who live with them,” she told Fox News Digital on Wednesday. “In response, law enforcement acted quickly to ensure the safety of those targeted. President Trump and the entire transition team are grateful for their quick action.”

Local law enforcement officers responded to the threats and visited the homes of several candidates and appointees, Fox News Digital has learned. New York State Police said in a statement that members and K9 units trained in explosive detection searched Stefanik’s Saratoga home and found no explosive devices.

The FBI also issued a statement Wednesday noting that the FBI is “aware” of the spate of incidents.

“The FBI is aware of numerous bomb threats and incidents targeting new government nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement partners,” it said. “We take all potential threats seriously and, as always, encourage the public to immediately report anything they believe is suspicious to law enforcement.”

Leavitt said Trump and the transition team “are focused on uniting our nation by ensuring a secure and prosperous future.”

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Donald Trump in a dark suit and red tie waves to the crowd and looks to the right

Former President Trump waves to the crowd on the fourth day of the Republican National Convention at the Fiserv Forum in Milwaukee on July 18. (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

“With President Trump as our example, dangerous acts of intimidation and violence will not deter us,” she said.

Zeldin was among several officials who posted on social media or issued statements about targeted attacks. He also revealed details about his particular incident.

“A pipe bomb threat against me and my family at my home was sent today with a pro-Palestinian message,” Zeldin’s statement said. “My family and I were not at home at the time and are safe. We are working with law enforcement to learn more as this situation develops. We are grateful for the quick actions local officials took to keep our family, neighbors and local community safe.”

Stefanik’s office confirmed in a post on X that she was one of the targets in the incident.

“This morning, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, her husband and their 3-year-old son were driving home from Washington to Saratoga County for Thanksgiving when they were notified of a bomb threat against their residence,” the post said. “New York State, District and U.S. Capitol Police law enforcement responded immediately with the utmost professionalism. We are incredibly grateful for the extraordinary efforts of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe around the clock.”

Rollins said in a post on X that her “home and family” were under threat.

“This morning we learned that a threat had been made against our home and family,” she wrote. “Thanks to @fortworthpd’s quick efforts, we remained uninjured and returned home quickly. “I want to express my deep gratitude to the law enforcement professionals who have done everything they can, both in terms of speed and expertise, to protect us – just as they protect our community every day.”

Trump’s nominee for labor secretary, Republican Rep. Lori Chavez-DeRemer, also posted on social media that she was being targeted.

“Last night my family and I were victims of a pipe bomb threat at our home in Oregon,” DeRemer posted to our community.”

Local law enforcement officials in Florida also released a statement saying a family member of Matt Gaetz, who recently withdrew as Trump’s nominee for attorney general, had received a threat. However, it is unclear whether there is a connection to the other threats.

“We received a notification of a bomb threat at approximately 9 a.m. this morning that targeted former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s alleged mailbox at a home in the Niceville area,” the Okaloosa County Sheriff’s Office wrote on Facebook. “A family member lives at the address, but former Congressman Gaetz is NOT a resident. However, the mailbox was cleared and no devices were found. The immediate area was also searched with negative results.”

A White House spokesman said in a statement Wednesday that President Biden had been briefed on the situation.

“The White House is in contact with federal law enforcement and the president-elect’s team and continues to closely monitor the situation,” the spokesman said. “The response by federal law enforcement, state and local authorities is ongoing. The President and the Administration unequivocally condemn threats of political violence.”

New Trump border czar Tom Homan spoke to Fox News on “The Story” on Wednesday, saying that until today he had not taken threats against himself and his family “seriously,” but following recent developments in which other officials were threatened , he already has.

The threats come just months after Trump survived two assassination attempts.

Just days before accepting the Republican nomination, Trump was shot at a July 13 rally in Butler, Pennsylvania. During the event, Trump showed a graphic that illustrated the skyrocketing illegal immigration under the Biden-Harris administration. As he turned to the map, he was hit by a bullet that pierced the upper part of his right ear from the now-deceased assassin Thomas Matthew Crooks. Trump credits the diagram with saving his life.

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Weeks later, in September, another attacker hid in the bushes at Trump International Golf Course in West Palm Beach, Florida. Suspected shooter Ryan Wesley Routh pointed an AK-47 rifle through the fence at Trump while the Republican candidate was playing golf. Trump was chased off the golf course unharmed by US Secret Service agents.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.

Fox News Digital’s Andrew Mark Miller contributed to this report.

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