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The FBI announce Friday that an investigation has been launched over a wave of “swatting” incidents that started last week, targeting well over a dozen prominent conservative journalists and podcast hosts.
Swatting is when a person attempts to send armed law enforcement to another person’s house over a fake incident, which has led to deadly consequences in the past, Fox News explained.
Journalist Nick Sortor had sounded the alarm last Thursday, announcing in a post on X, “Both my dad and my sister were swatted tonight. A dozen cops attempted to kick my dad’s door in at gunpoint. This is literal fucking terrorism. And the FBI should treat it as such.”
“Before calling in the swat, this dumbshit sent my sister an email calling me a Nazi, of course. So the motive is clear. In my dad’s case, the caller told police my dad was killing my entire family, requiring them to intervene with deadly force. This is nothing short of attempted murder. They wanted the police to kill my father,” he continued.
Sortor vowed he will not let the attacks silence his voice.
“Unfortunately for the swatter, I WILL NOT stop. I WILL NOT shut up. And you WILL NOT win. If anything, my family is behind me even more than they were before. Because they just got a first hand look at the forces I’m fighting with on a daily basis. Your hate fuels me. I’m over the target. As President Trump says: FIGHT. FIGHT. FIGHT,” he wrote.
In another post, Sortor added, “The FBI HAS TO ACT. This is happening FAR too often. And it’s just going to get worse. Please, @FBIDirectorKash. Let’s crack down on this in a very public way. I’m all in.”
The FBI HAS TO ACT. This is happening FAR too often.
And it’s just going to get worse.
Please, @FBIDirectorKash. Let’s crack down on this in a very public way. I’m all in.
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 13, 2025
“It’s happening more and more to journalists and their families. This is being normalized by the left,” Sortor explained.
It’s happening more and more to journalists and their families.
This is being normalized by the left.
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 13, 2025
“My family are just working class folks who keep their head down and mind their own business. They don’t deserve this shit. They weren’t even aware of the concept of “swatting” until tonight. Words can’t even describe how terrified they were,” he added.
My family are just working class folks who keep their head down and mind their own business.
They don’t deserve this shit. They weren’t even aware of the concept of “swatting” until tonight.
Words can’t even describe how terrified they were.
— Nick Sortor (@nicksortor) March 13, 2025
Comedian and host Shawn Farash posted a video Thursday night announcing they had just gotten swatted at their home in Tennessee.
“My wife and I were swatted tonight. We are totally safe. Thank you to everyone who checked in. We are going to do whatever is necessary to find out who is behind these coordinated attacks and hold them accountable to the fullest extent. Thank you all for the support!” he wrote.
In the video, he described the scary ordeal, and said not only did the swatters call police on them, but they also sent PIZZA. “Dominos and Papa Johnson both showed up,” he said, noting that the swatters had called in the orders where they were supposed to pay cash at the door.
WATCH BELOW:
My wife and I were swatted tonight.
We are totally safe.
Thank you to everyone who checked in.
We are going to do whatever is necessary to find out who is behind these coordinated attacks and hold them accountable to the fullest extent.
Thank you all for the support! pic.twitter.com/TRYsx0PF1d
— Shawn Farash (@Shawn_Farash) March 14, 2025
THE FBI RESPONDS: In a post on X Friday morning, FBI Director Kash Patel announced, “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.”
“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. We are fully committed to working with local law enforcement to crack down on these crimes. More updates to come,” Patel added.
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.
This isn’t about politics—weaponizing law enforcement…
— FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) March 14, 2025
Matt Van Swol, a former Nuclear Scientist for US Dept of Energy, responded to Patel, “I need your help. It happened to my family and kids last night. Please help.”
I need your help. It happened to my family and kids last night.
Please help. pic.twitter.com/6XkDC0P8j4
— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) March 16, 2025
Van Swol then released a video and wrote, “In the interest of transparency, I’ve decided to release video footage of the swatting of my home at 2AM last night. Please watch and understand how this could have gone horribly wrong if this was you and your home. This is not a joke. This is domestic terrorism.”
In the interest of transparency, I’ve decided to release video footage of the swatting of my home at 2AM last night.
Please watch and understand how this could have gone horribly wrong if this was you and your home.
This is not a joke. This is domestic terrorism. pic.twitter.com/1Iu6z6IXZO
— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) March 16, 2025
“This is domestic terrorism and should be treated as such,” suggested Liz Churchill.
This is domestic terrorism and should be treated as such.
— Liz Churchill (@liz_churchill10) March 14, 2025
However, despite Patel’s warning, the swatting incidents are still happening.
Columnist Larry Taunton shared videos Monday morning of an alarming incident that occurred at his home Sunday night, that he said could have gotten people killed. He wrote:
I was SWATed last night as you can see in these 3 videos. I was in bed, but noticed Ranger, my German shepherd, was on the prowl, his ears up. I heed his instincts. I then saw a flicker of light on my BR door. Ranger went to investigate, I got my gun…..
1/5
I was SWATed last night as you can see in these 3 videos.
I was in bed, but noticed Ranger, my German shepherd, was on the prowl, his ears up. I heed his instincts.
I then saw a flicker of light on my BR door. Ranger went to investigate, I got my gun….. pic.twitter.com/B6MIKHC3V8
— Larry “Terrorist” Taunton (@LarryTaunton) March 17, 2025
I saw the silhouette of a man on my deck with an AR15. Given my recent run-in with USAID and the Egyptian secret police in Cairo, I didn’t know what to think.
I could hear whispers and saw two other men also in body armor, heavily armed….
2/5
I saw the silhouette of a man on my deck with an AR15.
Given my recent run-in with USAID and the Egyptian secret police in Cairo, I didn’t know what to think.
I could hear whispers and saw two other men also in body armor, heavily armed…. pic.twitter.com/xJTu2SWaHm
— Larry “Terrorist” Taunton (@LarryTaunton) March 17, 2025
I turned on a light and told them to identify themselves. They did as you’ll see, [but] I kept my weapon. It de-escalated from there.
The officers told me they’d received a call from someone claiming to be in my home and hiding while I shot people.
These were good guys… …just doing their jobs. I doubt any voted for Biden or Kamala.
They had approached the house without sirens, in silence. This might have been a bloodbath but for restraint on both sides. This was an attempt to get me and my wife killed. It ended in smiles, handshakes….
4/5
…just doing their jobs. I doubt any voted for Biden or Kamala.
They had approached the house without sirens, in silence. This might have been a bloodbath but for restraint on both sides.
This was an attempt to get me and my wife killed. It ended in smiles, handshakes…. pic.twitter.com/7DUuFxH1Im
— Larry “Terrorist” Taunton (@LarryTaunton) March 17, 2025
But, oh my, what might have happened. One had tried the door to enter the home. I thank God he did not get in. I might have opened fire. You must understand it was pitch darkness.
There were 9 police vehicles at the top of my drive. No sirens, no warning.
5/5
But, oh my, what might have happened.
One had tried the door to enter the home. I thank God he did not get in. I might have opened fire. You must understand it was pitch darkness.
There were 9 police vehicles at the top of my drive. No sirens, no warning.@KatieBrittforAL… pic.twitter.com/WzvM57DVLe
— Larry “Terrorist” Taunton (@LarryTaunton) March 17, 2025
Van Swol responded to Tauton: “This needs to be investigated as soon as possible or someone is going to die. All of us have gotten incredibly lucky, but someone could get unlucky.”
This needs to be investigated as soon as possible or someone is going to die.
All of us have gotten incredibly lucky, but someone could get unlucky.
— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) March 17, 2025
Radio host Joe Pags reacted, “this is NOT okay.. Glad you’re okay, Larry. This has to stop..”
this is NOT okay.. Glad you’re okay, Larry. This has to stop..
— Joe Pags Pagliarulo (@JoeTalkShow) March 17, 2025
Pags announced that he and his family were also swatted:
Yes — my family and I were swatted. This is how it went down. Including the video I saw on my front door camera at 2:35am. How would you have reacted?
This has to stop! pic.twitter.com/eJ0aLguf3Q
— Joe Pags Pagliarulo (@JoeTalkShow) March 14, 2025
“Become friends with your local sheriff,” suggested actor Kevin Sorbo.
Become friends with your local sheriff.
— Kevin Sorbo (@ksorbs) March 17, 2025
Sunday evening, Van Swol provided an update, explaining what this is costing police as well. He wrote:
I just got off a long phone call with the police officer in this photo who responded to the swatting call to my home last night. He was so upset.
We both acknowledged how the situation could have gone terribly wrong, for both of us. He also informed me that 2 ambulances, a fire truck, and nearly every cop on duty that night in the entire county was staged or rushing to stage at our home.
Although it was scary for us, it was also absolutely terrifying for the police force in Western North Carolina as well.
I want to commend the officer who calmly assessed the situation under extreme stress, his level head saved lives. I have also learned some astonishing information around the 911 call that I cannot share.
We are safe. We will be protected. Thank you to all who voiced concerned for us today and cared enough about strangers to share our story. Justice will be done.
I just got off a long phone call with the police officer in this photo who responded to the swatting call to my home last night.
He was so upset.
We both acknowledged how the situation could have gone terribly wrong, for both of us.
He also informed me that 2 ambulances, a… pic.twitter.com/iwL535FyNE
— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) March 16, 2025
InforWars host Chase Geiser was also a victim of swatting:
Here’s a video of my neighbor, who is a close friend, telling the cops I work for InfoWars after I was swatted today.
You can hear the cop respond, “NICE!” pic.twitter.com/ra6izhqVvb
— Chase Geiser (@realchasegeiser) March 12, 2025
Another podcast host, Chad Caton, was also swatted:
We were just Swatted because you liberal PoS scum bags are weak. 🖕🏼
This is DOMESTIC Terrorism!!
This is attempted murder. @Kash_PatelHorry County Police Department was very professional and kind to us and the PatriotPup Diesel.
Not only is it not Safe for Us but putting… pic.twitter.com/wGIwwRVVeV
— 🇺🇸🎙Chad “ThugZilla”Caton🎙🇺🇸 (@ImFiredUp2) March 17, 2025
Rep. Andy Ogles (R-Tenn.) condemned the dangerous attacks, and wrote, “Swatting is domestic terrorism and attempted murder. Too many of my constituents are being targeted by Leftists, hoping to silence their speech. This is not a game. It’s political violence. Someone could get killed. Congress must act NOW.”
Swatting is domestic terrorism and attempted murder.
Too many of my constituents are being targeted by Leftists, hoping to silence their speech.
This is not a game. It’s political violence. Someone could get killed.
Congress must act NOW. pic.twitter.com/ZMVfonUWoN
— Rep. Andy Ogles (@RepOgles) March 17, 2025
Shawn Hendrix posted a video, sharing tips on how to avoid swatting.
🚨How to avoid swatting🚨
❤️Please Share
1. Inform your PD that you are a target
2. Give them your cell number so they can contact you directly.
3. Have Cameras from @WyzeCam around your perimeter. Don’t be surprised.
4. Call 911 if you see police surrounding your house.… pic.twitter.com/qN1BbeUBKN— Shawn Hendrix (@TheShawnHendrix) March 14, 2025
My wife and I will be on @IngrahamAngle this evening to talk about our family of 5 being swatted last night.
This has to stop.
People need to go to prison for terrorizing families with LITTLE KIDS IN THEIR BEDS using armed police at 2AM.
Someone WILL get hurt, it has to stop. pic.twitter.com/27Wd0tBq8w
— Matt Van Swol (@matt_vanswol) March 16, 2025
Swatting is attempted murder and should be treated as such by the DOJ.
— Catturd ™ (@catturd2) March 14, 2025
Someone is going to get killed in a swatting if this continues. Large accounts on X need to notify your sheriff NOW about the increased swatting risk and ask them to put a note on your address if they can do so. Also ask that they form an anti-swatting list for figures at risk. pic.twitter.com/f0MP4W1mZ0
— Robby Starbuck (@robbystarbuck) March 17, 2025
This is so encouraging to see 👊🏼
I notified The state of Florida after our swatting. The police told me they HAVE the identity of the terrorist making these false swatting calls — yet the State of Florida refuses to give evidence to my attorney so I can sue them into the Stone… https://t.co/zfdUdRvRIW— Benny Johnson (@bennyjohnson) March 14, 2025
TAKING ACTION: FBI Director Kash Patel says his agency is investigating a recent spike in swatting incidents target conservative media figures.🧵 pic.twitter.com/V4y5V6mZDW
— Fox News (@FoxNews) March 15, 2025
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