A growing wave of "swatting" incidents targeting conservative media figures has prompted action from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, as new FBI Director Kash Patel vows to crack down on the trend, The Blaze reported.
"I want to address the alarming rise in 'Swatting' incidents targeting media figures. The FBI is aware of this dangerous trend, and my team and I are already taking action to investigate and hold those responsible accountable," Patel said in a post on X.
"This isn't about politics — weaponizing law enforcement against ANY American is not only morally reprehensible but also endangers lives, including those of our officers. That will not be tolerated," he continued, adding that the agency will aggressively pursue those involved in the crimes.
Swatting — a criminal act where false emergency reports are made to dispatch heavily armed law enforcement to a person's home — has notably affected several conservative media personalities in recent days.
"There's a very clear, targeted wave of harassment directed at conservative influencers," Sara Gonzales of "Sara Gonzales Unfiltered" said, according to The Blaze, citing incidents involving Benny Johnson, Catturd, Gunther Eagleman, Shawn Farash, Joe Pagliarulo, and Chase Geiser.
Geiser, who works for Infowars, shared a video detailing how a SWAT team arrived at his house in the middle of the night, ordering him out with his hands up.
Pagliarulo, known as Joe Pags, recounted his experience during an episode of "The Joe Pags Show."
"I've got a video of this guy with a rifle at my door, like holding it, ready to use it. And I called 911. That was the right answer. And I said, 'This is my address, this is who I am, radio, television, talk show host, so some would say public figure. I think I'm being swatted. Are you guys at my house?'" Pags explained.
"About two seconds later, she said, 'Yes, we are. Got a report of this, this, this, and this — dogs were shot, people were bleeding, people were hiding,' and none of that was true," he continued.
The pattern in these incidents appears to involve false reports claiming that individuals are threatening their own families, prompting an aggressive law enforcement response.
"Seems to be kind of par for the course with all of these incidents, is that they say, 'We got a call that you yourself were threatening to kill your own family or that your whole family was dead in there, and we needed to come in,'" Gonzales said in a discussion with guest Breanna Morello.
"My heart bleeds for them because when you have young kids in your house, and this is what's happening outside your front door, and your father, you know, from the kids' perspective, is being dragged out and put in cuffs and put on the side of the street — I mean, it's a horrifying situation," Morello added.