Former California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger became the latest Republican targeted by “swatting.”
The Los Angeles mansion belonging to the former Governator found itself at the center of a chaotic Thanksgiving incident as police swarmed onto the property.
A criminal prankster had reportedly claimed there was a bomb in his mailbox, prompting the LAPD to respond with urgency.
Upon thoroughly inspecting the area, including the mailbox, no trace of a device was discovered, according to a report by TMZ.
LAPD officers engaged with Schwarzenegger’s security detail, who assured them such a breach would be “virtually impossible” due to the extensive 24-hour surveillance and a network of cameras monitoring the premises.
At the time of the chaos, the “Terminator” star was nowhere near home. Instead, he had hit the gym to squeeze in a workout ahead of celebrating the holiday.
Law enforcement has labeled the incident as “swatting.” This alarming trend involves prank callers luring heavily armed emergency teams to specific locations under false pretenses.
Schwarzenegger had last been seen out and about earlier that week, spreading holiday cheer to Californians in need.
On Tuesday, November 26, he was spotted handing out turkeys to local families at the Hollenbeck Youth Center in Los Angeles.
“Giving back, to me, is everything,” the “True Lies” star told Fox 11 during the event. Reports suggest this was part of a three-decade-long tradition of charitable acts.
Schwarzenegger wasn’t the only Republican targeted this week. Numerous swatting and bomb threat incidents rattled multiple officials connected to President-elect Donald Trump.
More than ten figures slated to join his administration were subjected to similar pranks, including bomb threats and intimidating swatting calls, according to Fox News Digital.
Karoline Leavitt, the Trump-Vance transition team spokeswoman and incoming White House press secretary, laid the situation bare.
She cited a string of incidents ranging from pipe bomb threats containing “pro-Palestinian themed message[s]” to swatting hoaxes.
Among the high-profile individuals targeted were John Ratcliffe, Trump’s choice for CIA director, Pete Hegseth tapped for defense secretary, and Elise Stefanik, nominated for UN ambassador.
Brooke Rollins and Lee Zeldin, nominees for agriculture secretary and EPA administrator respectively, were also affected.
“Last night and this morning, several of President Trump’s Cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them,” Leavitt told Fox News Digital.
Her statement also applauded law enforcement’s fast response in ensuring the safety of those involved.
Law enforcement agencies, including local officers and New York State Police, were rapidly mobilized.
Reports from Saratoga confirm that explosive-trained K9 units inspected Stefanik’s home thoroughly but found no devices.
These developments were echoed by additional statements from the FBI addressing the concerning uptick in bomb threats and swatting aimed at political figures.
“The FBI is aware of numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees, and we are working with our law enforcement partners,” the agency stated.
“We take all potential threats seriously and, as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement.”
Trump’s team, meanwhile, remains undeterred, firm in its rhetoric against such acts of intimidation.
“With President Trump as our example, dangerous acts of intimidation and violence will not deter us,” Leavitt declared.
Swatting threats weren’t restricted to Republicans. Thanksgiving itself brought troubling developments for Democratic lawmakers as well.
Members of Congress were allegedly the recipients of pipe bomb threats left in their mailboxes.
Every single sinister message, curiously, was marked with the signature “MAGA,” reportedly echoing Trump’s campaign slogan “Make America Great Again.”
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries confirmed these reports, categorizing such acts as “unacceptable and unconscionable.”
“America is a democracy. Threats of violence against elected officials are unacceptable, unconscionable and have no place in a civilized society,” Jeffries stated in a Friday press briefing.
“All perpetrators of political violence directed at any party must be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.”
He urged that any such perpetrators must face vigorous legal consequences while calling for a robust security plan to protect Congressional members and their families more effectively.