Special counsel Jack Smith and Judge Tanya Chutkan, key figures in Trump 2020 election case, are latest victims of apparent "swatting" attempts
CBSN
Washington — Special counsel Jack Smith and U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, two key figures in the 2020 presidential election case against former President Donald Trump, were victims of apparent "swatting" attempts in recent weeks, joining a growing number of public figures targeted with the hoax phone calls.
Local police were called to Smith's home near Washington, D.C., on Christmas Day after a false report of a shooting, though they were informed he is under federal protection and did not respond. NBC News first reported the incident at Smith's residence.
The FBI has warned that "swatting" calls are dangerous to law enforcement and victims surprised by authorities descending upon their homes. Dispatching officers in response to a call can also be costly, the bureau said in a 2022 notice, and take them away from emergencies. The FBI launched a national database to track "swatting" incidents last year.
