Rick Scott among latest swath of politicians to be ‘swatted’ as hoax proliferates in politics

Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL) was among the latest swath of politicians to be “swatted” this week after two House Republicans and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu were victims of false emergency calls on Christmas.

Scott announced Thursday on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, that he had been swatted at his home in Naples, Florida, and decried it as a “sick attempt to terrorize my family” while also praising law enforcement.

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“Last night, while at dinner with my wife, cowards ‘swatted’ my home in Naples,” Scott said. “These criminals wasted the time & resources of our law enforcement in a sick attempt to terrorize my family. Ann & I want to thank [the Naples Police Department] & [Collier County Sheriff’s Office] for all they do to keep us safe.”

The Naples Police Department confirmed it had received a false report shortly after 9 p.m. Wednesday alleging a shooting had occurred at Scott’s residence.

“Within 15 minutes, we were able to confirm that the events did not occur, and the incident was a swatting event,” the police department said in a post on X. “This is very much an active and ongoing investigation.

“Swatting is defined as a false report of an ongoing emergency or active threat of violence intended to prompt an immediate tactical law enforcement response,” the post continued. “The response often prompts confusion on the part of the homeowners and pulls limited resources away from other possible valid emergencies.”

Other politicians also said their families were swatted in the past day, both of whom hail from Georgia.

Lt. Gov. Burt Jones (R-GA) said his home was swatted Wednesday night, and a bomb threat was called to his office on Thursday. Jones vowed in a post on X that he “will not be intimidated by those attempting to silence me” and that “we will put an end to this madness.”

“Last night, my home was ‘swatted’,” Jones said. “This morning, a bomb threat was called to my office. Thankfully everyone is safe, and I commend our local law enforcement officers for their professionalism. Let me be clear — I will not be intimidated by those attempting to silence me. We will put an end to this madness. We are in full compliance with law enforcement, and I am confident that those responsible will be brought to justice and be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), who was the victim of a swatting incident on Christmas, said both of her daughters’ homes were swatted and vowed that whoever is putting in the false calls will be “caught and it won’t be funny to you anymore.” She also called on lawmakers to better protect against swatting after the recent string of incidents.

“Swatting calls are coming in on many Members of Congress, Senators, State Reps and Mayors and Lt Governors, and many members of our families,” Greene posted on X. “Is our government under attack? Swatting calls are also police harassment and an attack on police. We need to stop this now.”