Political Persecution? Swatting Targets Conservatives As Trump’s Policies Heat Up

A disturbing surge of swatting incidents targeting conservative figures on X has erupted this month since March 10, 2025. The alarming incidents highlight an increase in political harassment, law enforcement awareness, and public safety in the Trump era. These hoax emergency calls, now also accompanied by unsolicited pizza deliveries, have endangered lives and strained police resources, sparking an FBI investigation led by Director Kash Patel. Victims report local police are frequently unaware of this national trend, leaving them vulnerable to escalating threats.

Swatting Surge Hits Conservative Voices

Since early March, at least six confirmed swatting incidents have targeted prominent conservative media figures and influencers on X, including @GuntherEagleman, Larry Taunton, and an InfoWars reporter. Swatting—false 911 calls reporting violent crimes like mass shootings or hostage situations at a target’s home—triggers heavily armed police or SWAT team responses, risking accidental harm to innocent people. On March 13, 2025, @catturd2 was swatted for the fourth time, with police arriving in tactical gear at his residence. Similarly, Alabama journalist Larry Taunton faced a pre-dawn raid by sheriff’s deputies on March 17, 2025, after a hoax call, as reported by al.com.

The motivation appears political, targeting conservatives for their advocacy or public profiles, particularly amid President Donald Trump’s polarizing policies, including recent Tren de Aragua deportations. FBI Director Kash Patel, appointed by Trump, described these attacks as a “dangerous trend” targeting media figures, emphasizing in a March 14, 2025, statement on X that they are “morally reprehensible” and endanger lives, including those of law enforcement officers.

Pizza Deliveries: A New Harassment Tactic

Adding to the chaos, multiple victims have reported receiving unsolicited pizza deliveries—sometimes dozens at a time—as a form of harassment alongside swatting. Shooting News Weekly and ZeroHedge highlighted this tactic, noting it disrupts victims’ lives, incurs financial costs, and adds psychological stress. For instance, conservative targets mentioned in these reports described receiving repeated pizza orders they didn’t request, often shortly before or after swatting incidents, suggesting a coordinated campaign of political harassment.

Police Confusion and Lack of Awareness

A troubling pattern has emerged: many local police departments responding to these swatting calls are unaware of the broader trend targeting conservatives. Larry Taunton told al.com that his local sheriff’s deputies in Talladega County, Alabama, acted professionally but were surprised by the incident, indicating they lacked prior knowledge of the national swatting wave. Similarly, ZeroHedge reported that during an InfoWars reporter’s swatting on March 14, 2025, police received ongoing false 311 messages, suggesting confusion and a lack of training on these politically motivated hoaxes.

The FBI’s involvement, announced by Patel, aims to bridge this gap by collaborating with local law enforcement. Still, victims like @GuntherEagleman and Taunton understandably express frustration at the lack of preventive measures or immediate awareness at the local level. This disconnect strains police resources, risks officer safety, and leaves conservative voices feeling targeted and unprotected.

Public Outcry and FBI Response

On X, conservative users like @nicksortor, @realBruceBallou, and @drummer0118 have amplified these incidents to bring awareness while decrying them as attacks on free speech and political intimidation. Left-leaning commentator Brian Krassenstein also came out and condemned the acts, calling them “dangerous, reckless, and could get someone killed.” The concentration on conservatives has fueled speculation of partisan targeting, with some tying it to Trump’s policies, though no direct evidence links the perpetrators to specific political groups.

Patel’s FBI is actively investigating and promising to “hold those responsible accountable.” As of Tuesday, no public arrests have been made. Swatting is a federal crime punishable by fines and imprisonment, but identifying perpetrators—often using spoofed phone numbers and anonymous calls—remains challenging.

Broader Implications in the Trump Era

This swatting surge occurs against the backdrop of Trump’s aggressive immigration and national security policies, including the recent use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Tren de Aragua members, a Venezuelan gang linked to over 100 murders in the U.S. The timing has deepened partisan tensions, with some viewing these incidents as retaliation for conservative activism. Shooting News Weekly warned that perpetrators may hope to “induce a cop with an itchy trigger finger,” underscoring the life-threatening risks of these hoaxes.

The incidents also highlight growing concerns about online platforms like X as battlegrounds for political harassment, with victims facing not only swatting but also nuisance calls and pizza deliveries as part of a broader intimidation campaign.

What’s Next: Calls for Action

Victims and advocates are demanding stronger federal and local action to prevent swatting, improve police training, and protect free speech. The FBI’s investigation is a critical step. Still, the lack of local awareness and the psychological toll on targets previously mentioned underscore the urgency of addressing this Trump-era safety crisis. Legal experts suggest potential legislation to enhance penalties for swatting and improve coordination between federal and local authorities.