U.S. News
Police: Marjorie Taylor Greene targeted by Christmas Day ‘swatting’ incident
By Jake Beardslee · December 28, 2023
In brief…
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was targeted by a swatting hoax call on Christmas Day.
- Police dispatched to Greene's house but called off response after realizing it was a hoax.
- Other GOP reps like Brandon Williams have also been recent swatting targets.
According to a statement from the Rome Police Department, a hoax emergency call was made targeting the home of Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) on Christmas Day. Major Rodney Bailey confirmed that someone from Rome, New York called the suicide hotline, falsely claiming violence was occuring at her Georgia home.
Officers were already en route to Rep. Greene’s home when they were contacted by her local security team. After being informed it was likely a prank call, police called off their response. “Swatting” refers to making false claims about a violent emergency to elicit an aggressive law enforcement response to a location.
In a post on X, Rep. Greene said: “I was just swatted. This is like the 8th time. On Christmas with my family here.” She went on to thank local police, calling them “the GREATEST” and saying her family was still able to have a “joyous” Christmas celebration.
This is not the first swatting incident targeting Rep. Greene. Last year multiple false reports of active shootings outside her home led to police responses. Each time officers determined the calls were hoaxes.
Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY) also tweeted Monday that he was swatted, but said police “left with homemade cookies and spiced nuts!”
The Cayuga County Sheriff confirmed they responded to a false report at Williams’ home and are investigating along with U.S. Capitol Police.