Republicans Want to Change the Law to Protect Their Families

Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene plans to introduce legislation that would make it easier for authorities to arrest and prosecute people accused of swatting after several Republican lawmakers have been targeted in recent days.

Swatting is a term used to refer to someone making a false report of a crime at a person's address with the goal of prompting an armed police response at somebody's home. According to the National 911 program, "swatters" typically use techniques including caller ID spoofing, TTY relay technologies or social engineering to compel an often "substantial" police response.

Greene, a Georgia Republican, and other politicians have been subject to several swatting incidents in recent days. Greene was swatted on Christmas with her family at her home, she wrote in a post to X, formerly Twitter, adding it was the eighth time she has been targeted.

She now plans to introduce legislation aimed at strengthening law enforcement responses to swatting, she wrote on X Wednesday evening, without providing specifics about what the bill would do.

"The dangerous swatting harassment continues, as tonight, one of my family members was swatted at their house. I will be introducing legislation to make it much easier for law enforcement to arrest and prosecutors to prosecute these criminals," she wrote.

Newsweek reached out to Greene's office via email for comment.

Former federal prosecutor Neama Rahmani told Newsweek on Thursday that swatting is already a federal crime, as well as a crime in many states.

Still, Congress could allocate more funds to help local law enforcement agencies identify swatters. Congress could also potentially increase federal penalties, but violations are already punishable by up to five years to life in prison, he said.

"Prosecutions are often handled by state prosecutors, particularly if there is no injury or death, so it's unclear how effective changes to the federal law would be," Rahmani said.

Calls for stronger anti-swatting laws come as Florida Senator Rick Scott, a Republican, also reported that he and his family were swatted Wednesday evening.

"Last night, while at dinner with my wife, cowards 'swatted' my home in Naples. These criminals wasted the time & resources of our law enforcement in a sick attempt to terrorize my family. Ann & I want to thank @NaplesPolice & @CollierSheriff for all they do to keep us safe," he wrote in a post on X.

Several other politicians have been targeted by swatters this week. In New York, GOP Representative Brandon Williams was swatted on Christmas, prompting a response from the Cayuga County Sheriff's Office.

"Our home was swatted this afternoon," Williams wrote on X on Christmas. "Thanks to the Deputies and Troopers who contacted me before arriving. They left with homemade cookies and spiced nuts! Merry Christmas everyone!"

Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, a Democrat, was targeted the same day. The Boston Police Department said it received a report of a shooting at her home, but it was a hoax, according to The Boston Herald.

On Tuesday, four Ohio lawmakers who sponsored legislation adding penalties to swatting calls, were also swatted, according to WHIO-TV in Dayton.

Former Justice Department official Jeffrey Clark wrote to X: "This epidemic of swatting has to stop, regardless of the politics of those being swatted."