Congressman Tom Emmer targeted in ‘swatting’ incident

The Wright County home of U.S. Congressman Tom Emmer, R-6th District, was targeted in a “swatting” incident on Saturday night.

Wright County deputies responded to Emmer’s home in Delano after a call was received regarding a possible homicide/hostage situation reportedly occurring there.

The residence was checked by Wright County deputies and contact was made with Emmer and his security detail from U.S. Capitol Police.

The report was quickly determined to be unfounded.

According to a statement from the Sixth District Republican congressman on X (Twitter), no one was harmed during the Jan. 27 incident.

“Sadly, this illegal and dangerous scheme is being used nationwide to target elected officials. Thankfully, no one was home or injured,” Emmer wrote in the post. “I condemn this illegal abuse of police resources. I want to thank the Wright County Sheriff’s Office for their professionalism and support.”

Emmer said he would have no further comment on the incident.

Once prevalent among online gaming communities, swatting has become increasingly used as a tactic against political figures in recent years. The practice consists of placing a fraudulent call to police reporting a crime in progress, with the intention of drawing a large police presence to the home or location of the victim. These incidents have, on occasion, turned deadly.

In December 2023 alone, Georgia Republican Congresswoman Marjorie Taylor Greene reported being targeted by swatting on Christmas morning; and former South Carolina governor and current Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley reported being targeted in a swatting incident on Dec. 30.

The increase in swatting calls against political figures has led to the introduction of a bill aimed at expanding penalties for perpetrating such incidents.

On Jan. 17, Republican Sens. Rick Scott (Fla.) and Tommy Tuberville (Ala.) introduced the Preserving Safe Communities by Ending Swatting Act, which would establish strict penalties for swatting, including up to 20 years in prison.

Emmer, who serves as the House Majority Whip, has served Minnesota’s 6th congressional district since 2015. The district, which includes Monticello, covers most or all of Benton, Carver, Sherburne, Stearns, Wright and Anoka counties.