Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) became the latest victim of a swatting incident on Thursday when her Holly, Michigan, home was targeted by a false emergency call. Michigan State Police confirmed they responded to the threat, which was later determined to be a hoax. Swatting, which involves making fake emergency calls to provoke a heavy law enforcement response, has been increasingly directed at public officials.
Slotkin was not present at her residence during the incident, her spokeswoman Lynsey Mukomel informed the Detroit News. Mukomel expressed concern over the growing trend of swatting targeting members of Congress. “Congresswoman Slotkin is deeply grateful for the swift and professional response by law enforcement to this unfortunate incident, and that U.S. Capitol Police will be following up to investigate and hopefully hold accountable those responsible,” Mukomel stated.
Swatting has become a significant concern, with several politicians targeted during last year’s Christmas holiday and more than 100 incidents linked to a single suspect earlier this year. This suspect targeted officials in the Biden administration, including Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency Director Jen Easterly.
As Slotkin campaigns for Michigan’s U.S. Senate seat, vacated by retiring Sen. Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), she faces former Republican Rep. Mike Rogers. Rogers strongly condemned the swatting incident, stating, “It’s a horrific act, and I’m relieved that she was not harmed. I sincerely hope those responsible are found and prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
