Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene targeted in swatting attempt on Christmas morning
On Christmas morning, Republican U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene was targeted in a swatting attempt at her Georgia residence, according to the congresswoman and local police. This latest incident marks the eighth time that someone has called in a fake emergency in an attempt to draw armed officers to her home.
The Rome Police Department quickly verified that the call was a hoax and did not send officers to the house, according to department spokesperson Kelly Madden.
Greene took to social media, formerly Twitter, to share her experience, stating, “I was just swatted. This is like the 8th time. On Christmas with my family here. My local police are the GREATEST and shouldn’t have to deal with this.”
The swatting attempt was initiated by a man in New York who called the Georgia suicide hotline, claiming that he had shot his girlfriend at Greene’s home and was going to kill himself next. The call was quickly transferred to police after suicide hotline responders recognized the congresswoman’s address.
The Rome Police Department contacted Greene’s private security detail to confirm her safety and determine that there was no emergency at her residence. The call was then identified as a swatting attempt, and the planned police response was canceled en route.
Greene, who represents the cities of Rome, Dalton, and Calhoun in northwest Georgia, has been the target of multiple swatting attempts in the past. Previous fake calls have included claims of dead bodies being found in her bathtub and in other areas of her home, as well as false reports of shootings outside her residence.
The Rome Police Department has formed a close working relationship with Greene’s security detail, allowing officers to better assess the threat level in such situations. The department’s criminal investigations division is currently working to identify the caller and build a case in response to the swatting attempt on Christmas morning.
This incident comes after another man from New York was sentenced to three months in prison in August for making threatening phone calls to Greene’s Washington, D.C., office. Police and Greene’s security detail continue to work together to ensure her safety and respond to these false emergency calls.