Political Swatting: When Democracy is Threatened
Protecting against political swatting in this election year is paramount to preserving the integrity of US democracy.
In a recent article, I highlighted the use of swatting by foreign actors to pressure compromised organizations into paying ransoms. This reprehensible act marks a new low for threat actors.
However, an even more alarming trend is emerging. The White House recently fell victim to a swatting incident when a false 911 call claimed a fire had broken out and someone was trapped inside. This disturbing trend is part of a broader problem where swatting is used to target politicians and public office holders, serving as a platform to voice political and ideological grievances.
Over the past month, several politicians have fallen victim to attempted swatting. On Christmas Day, false reports of shootings were made at the homes of Rep. Brandon Williams, R-N.Y., Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., and Boston Mayor Michelle Wu. A similar incident occurred at the home of Sen. Rick Scott, R-Fla. Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, known for declaring former President Trump ineligible for the state's primary ballot, was also swatted at her home.
Special Counsel Jack Smith, who is leading the federal prosecution of Trump, was a target of a swatting incident when a caller reportedly claimed he had shot his wife. Similarly, Judge Tanya Chutkan, presiding over Trump's election interference case, had police dispatched to her home following a bogus report of a shooting. Furthermore, a reported bomb threat led to a police response at the home of Judge Arthur Engoron, who is presiding over Trump's civil fraud case.
Swatting is a dangerous criminal deception that involves making a false report to the police with the intent of leading them to a specific location. The police are misled to believe that a severe crime, such as a shooting, a bombing, or a hostage situation, has occurred or is underway. This would typically provoke a response from local police and SWAT teams, who are unaware that the call is a hoax.
Swatting, though not new, has seen a concerning surge in incidents aimed at high-profile politicians and public officials in an election year. This trend is deeply troubling due to its substantial threat to democracy. At its core, political swatting can erode public faith in the democratic process. It can serve as a tool for intimidation, harassment, and retaliation against public officials who are simply carrying out their responsibilities.
Furthermore, swatting can inhibit the freedom of expression and participation of political actors, potentially leading to concerns for their safety and security. In its most severe form, swatting can be weaponized for political assassination or to incite large-scale disruption of the political process. The potential for such extreme harm underscores the gravity of the issue.
Swatting presents a complex threat that is challenging to prevent or prosecute due to the sophisticated techniques used by perpetrators to hide their identity and location. These techniques include phone number spoofing, voice changers, call routing through multiple countries, and the use of artificial intelligence (AI). With the increasing accessibility of AI tools, political swatting can be automated and executed on a large scale, thereby amplifying the impact of such attacks.
This misuse of AI not only heightens the potential harm of swatting but also presents significant challenges for law enforcement agencies in tracing and preventing such attacks. Furthermore, swatting can be hard to detect and verify, as the police must treat every call as a genuine emergency unless they have unmistakable evidence to the contrary.
Addressing the issue of swatting against politicians and public officials requires a comprehensive strategy involving law enforcement, policymakers, and the public. Law enforcement agencies need to enhance their training, protocols, and technology to effectively manage swatting incidents, with inter-agency information and best practice sharing being key.
On the other hand, policymakers should establish and enforce strict laws against swatting. The public also has a crucial role to play. They need to be aware of the risks posed by swatting and remain vigilant, reporting any suspicious or fraudulent calls to the authorities. This collective effort can significantly contribute to protecting our democracy from the threats posed by swatting.
Political swatting is not a harmless prank; it’s a grave danger to democracy and public safety. This cowardly, criminal act must be stopped and punished. We can’t let swatting undermine our faith and confidence in our democratic institutions and representatives, nor our respect and appreciation for our law enforcement officers and first responders. It’s imperative that we unite against swatting to defend our democracy from this threat.