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DC judge in Trump case latest high-profile ‘swatting’ victim

by Nick Robertson - 01/08/24 4:57 PM ET

This undated photo provided by the Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts, shows U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan. Chutkan is initially assigned to the election fraud case against former President Donald Trump. (Administrative Office of the U.S. Courts via AP)

Federal Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the criminal election interference case against former President Trump, was the victim of “swatting” on Sunday night, according to D.C. police.

Police received a false report of a shooting at a home linked to Chutkan in public records and responded at about 10 p.m. Sunday, The Associated Press reported. Officers quickly determined that no shooting had actually occurred.

It was unclear if the home is Chutkan’s residence or if she was there at the time.

Chutkan is the latest victim in a string of high-profile swatting incidents in recent weeks, attacks that consist of false threats to police meant to elicit a law enforcement response that could put the victim in danger.

Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.) are among recent victims, as well as Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.), Boston Mayor Michelle Wu and California Lt. Gov. Eleni Kounalakis.

Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, who determined last month that Trump should be kept off the state’s primary ballot, has also been targeted.

Last Wednesday, half a dozen state Capitols received similar bomb threats or other threats that resulted in police responses and evacuations.

Attorney General Merrick Garland denounced the spike in threats on Friday.

“These threats of violence are unacceptable,” he said. “They threaten the fabric of our democracy.”

It’s not the first time Chutkan has been threatened. In August, a Texas woman was arrested after she made death threats towards Chutkan and a Democratic congresswoman.