FBI Confirms Bomb Threats Against Some Cabinet Nominees of Donald Trump

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has confirmed bomb threats against several nominees of Donald Trump, the President-elect of the United States, in his upcoming administration. In one instance, the threat was sent with a "pro-Palestinian" message. On Wednesday, December 7, the FBI announced that it is aware of multiple bomb threats and other potential harmful actions against Mr. Trump's transition team and is investigating the matter with other law enforcement agencies. A federal police official stated that all potential threats are taken "seriously." Mr. Trump's transition team announced on Tuesday and Wednesday that several nominees and appointees of the new cabinet have been threatened with bombings. Caroline Levitt, a spokesperson for the transition team, stated that the bomb threats include "people harassment." According to Reuters, Pete Hegseth, a nominee for the Secretary of Defense position, announced that he and his family have been targeted for bombing. Mr. Hegseth, who is a father of seven children, said the police visited their home and informed him and his wife that the threat against his family was a "credible threat" while their children were sleeping. He added that all members of his family are currently safe and secure. Prior to Mr. Hegseth, Elise Stefanik, a Republican congresswoman who is Trump's nominee for the U.S. ambassador to the United Nations, announced that she and her husband and family have been threatened with a bombing at their home. Ms. Stefanik wrote in a message on X that she was traveling from Washington to Saratoga in upstate New York with her husband and three-year-old child when she learned of the bomb threat at their home. Ms. Stefanik has been a staunch supporter of Israel during her five terms in Congress and has been active in congressional protests against the actions of American university presidents regarding pro-Palestinian actions in academic centers. Additionally, Lee Zeldin, a former congressman whom Trump has nominated to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, reported on Wednesday that a bomb threat with a pro-Palestinian message was sent to him and his family. Mr. Zeldin added that the bomb threat was left at his doorstep while he and his family were not at the residence. Matt Gaetz, who was nominated for Attorney General but resigned himself, has received a similar threat. Also, Ms. Pam Bondi, Trump's attorney, who is set to become the Attorney General, has been threatened in a similar manner. According to Reuters, this threat has apparently been sent to several other figures nominated by Donald Trump for positions in the new government. Mr. Trump's team emphasized that law enforcement agencies are addressing the threats and have "quickly" acted to ensure the safety of those targeted. Ms. Levitt stated that dangerous actions, intimidation, or threats of violence against the President-elect and the transition team will not deter them from striving for a safe and prosperous future. The FBI has not disclosed the names of the recipients of the threats and did not refer to any specific connections between the bomb threats and certain factors, but it did not deny Mr. Zeldin's statement regarding the "pro-Palestinian message." Trump's team reported receiving a security warning about Iran's attempt to "assassinate" him. In the final weeks of his election campaign, Donald Trump attempted to attract votes from America's Muslim minority and promised to end the wars in Gaza and Lebanon. However, Reuters reported that the selection of politicians and figures who are mostly staunch supporters of Israel for Trump's government positions has "disillusioned" some of the Palestinian supporters who voted for him. The White House announced that Joe Biden has been informed of the threats against the President-elect's team and is closely monitoring the situation in cooperation with law enforcement agencies. Donald Trump was targeted in two armed attacks during his recent election campaign, one of which resulted in a superficial injury to his ear. However, he is not among those who have been threatened in recent days.