Chairman Clay Higgins takes on the weaponization of emergency services against Conservatives in a sweeping investigation into politically targeted ‘swatting’ attacks.
At a Glance
- Chairman Clay Higgins has launched a formal investigation into politically motivated “swatting” incidents increasingly targeting conservatives
- Higgins has demanded a briefing from Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel by April 9, 2025
- The investigation aims to uncover what measures the DOJ and FBI are implementing to combat these dangerous attacks
- Swatting involves falsely reporting emergencies to trigger potentially dangerous police responses at victims’ homes
Confronting Politically Motivated Attacks
Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement Chairman Clay Higgins (R-La.) has launched a formal investigation into the alarming rise of politically motivated “swatting” incidents across the country. These dangerous attacks, which involve false emergency reports designed to trigger armed police responses at victims’ homes, have increasingly targeted individuals based on their political affiliations, particularly conservatives. The investigation seeks to understand what federal law enforcement is doing to counter this form of political terrorism and hold perpetrators accountable for their actions that put lives at risk.
In a strongly worded letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and FBI Director Kash Patel, Chairman Higgins demanded a staff-level briefing on what specific measures are being implemented to address these politically motivated attacks. The committee has set a deadline of April 9, 2025, for this briefing, signaling the urgency with which the Subcommittee views this growing problem that threatens not only the targeted individuals but also responding law enforcement officers who enter potentially volatile situations based on false information.
“The Subcommittee on Federal Law Enforcement (Subcommittee) is investigating the recent increase in “swatting” incidents which appear to be targeting individuals based on their political affiliation. The Subcommittee requests information from the Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on the steps being taken to thoroughly investigate these incidents of political violence and hold those responsible accountable. To assist the Subcommittee with its investigation, I am requesting a staff-level briefing from the DOJ and FBI by April 9, 2025, to understand what is being done to investigate and hold accountable those responsible for politically motivated swatting incidents,” – Subcommittee Chairman Clay Higgins
The Dangerous Tactic of Swatting
Swatting represents one of the most dangerous forms of harassment in today’s politically charged climate. When perpetrators call in false reports of serious crimes like hostage situations, bomb threats, or active shooters, they deliberately trigger rapid, high-intensity police responses that often include heavily armed tactical teams. These scenarios create immediate danger for the unsuspecting targets who may react unpredictably when suddenly confronted by armed officers, potentially leading to tragic outcomes that have included fatalities in past incidents across the country.
The investigation highlights growing concern over the weaponization of emergency services for political intimidation. Each swatting incident not only endangers the targeted individual and responding officers but also diverts critical emergency resources away from legitimate public safety needs. The practice has evolved from a dangerous prank into what many now characterize as a form of domestic terrorism designed to silence political opposition through fear and intimidation, making federal intervention increasingly necessary as local jurisdictions struggle to identify and prosecute the perpetrators who often operate across state lines.
Demanding Accountability from Federal Agencies
Chairman Higgins’ investigation specifically seeks information on what concrete steps the Department of Justice and FBI are taking to investigate these incidents, identify patterns in targeting, and develop effective strategies for both prevention and prosecution. The Subcommittee’s focus reflects growing frustration among conservatives who have increasingly become targets of these attacks, with numerous high-profile incidents reported against conservative public figures, commentators, and everyday citizens who have expressed support for President Trump or conservative causes in public forums.
In requesting this briefing, the Subcommittee aims to ensure that federal law enforcement is treating politically motivated swatting with appropriate seriousness and dedicating adequate resources to combating this dangerous trend. The investigation will examine whether current laws provide sufficient tools for prosecution, if new legislation may be needed, and whether federal agencies are properly coordinating with state and local law enforcement to address what has become a nationwide problem requiring a coordinated response across all levels of government to protect Americans from politically motivated terrorization.
