Special counsel Jack Smith, the prosecutor overseeing former President Trump’s federal criminal cases, was “swatted” on Christmas Day, according to multiple media reports.
Police in Montgomery County, Md., were told that Smith had shot his wife, causing a police response, NBC News first reported. The responding officers were called off after U.S. marshals protecting Smith and his family informed them it was a false alarm.
Smith is among a number of high-profile recent victims of a string of swatting incidents, attacks that use false reports to police to elicit a law enforcement response that could put the victim in danger.
On Sunday, Judge Tanya Chutkan, who is overseeing the case against Trump that Smith is prosecuting, was also the victim of swatting in Washington, D.C.
Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and Brandon Williams (R-N.Y.) are also among notable 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.
No injuries were reported in any of the swatting incidents.
The swatting incidents also come as half a dozen state Capitols last week received bomb threats or other threats that resulted in police responses and evacuations.
Attorney General Merrick Garland denounced the spike in threats Friday.
“These threats of violence are unacceptable,” he said. “They threaten the fabric of our democracy.”
The Hill has reached out to the special prosecutor’s office and Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office for comment.