(NewsNation) — Several people who have been nominated for Cabinet positions in President-elect Donald Trump’s upcoming administration have reportedly been targeted in “violent, unamerican” threats to their lives and those of their family members, Trump’s transition team said Wednesday.
The threats were reportedly made Tuesday night and Wednesday morning, a Trump transition team spokesperson said. The attacks ranged from bomb threats to “swatting.”
“President Trump and the Transition (team) are focused on doing the work of uniting our nation by ensuring a safe and prosperous future,” the spokesperson, Karoline Leavitt, said in a statement. “With President Trump as our example, dangerous acts of intimidation and violence will not deter us.”
In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted, Leavitt said.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the FBI said it is aware of numerous bomb threats and “swatting incidents” involving incoming Trump nominees and appointees and said it is working with local law enforcement as part of its investigation.
We take all potential threats seriously and, as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement,” the FBI statement said.
What appointees have been targeted
In a social media post on Wednesday, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, R-New York, wrote that they received word Thursday morning that their New York residence was the target of a bomb threat. Stefanik, Trump’s pick for UN Ambassador, wrote that she, her husband, and their 3-year-old son were driving from Washington to New York when they were informed of the threat.
She said that New York State Police and other law enforcement along with the U.S. Capitol Police, responded immediately “with the highest levels of professionalism.”
“We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7,” Stefanik wrote. “We want to share our best wishes to the Update NY community for a happy and safe Thanksgiving. We are especially grateful to our law enforcement officers and military families are are on duty over the holidays.”
The Okaloosa County, Florida Sheriff’s Office reported that it received notification of a bomb threat in a mailbox at former Congressman Matt Gaetz’s home on Wednesday morning. A family member resides at the home, which is located in Niceville, but said that Gaetz is not a resident.
Local deputies said that the mailbox was cleared and no devices were located. Police also said they found nothing in the immediate area around the mailbox.
Brooke Rollins, who has been nominated as Trump’s agriculture secretary, wrote on social media that she learned that her home and family had been threatened on Wednesday morning. Rollins credited Fort Worth, Texas police for its swift action and said that no one was harmed.
Rollins joined the former president’s Economic Advisory Council in 2016 and currently serves as the president and CEO of America First Policy Institute, a think-tank for the former president manned by previous staffers.
“I want to express my deep gratitude to the law-enforcement professionals who did their utmost, in both speed and expertise, to protect us — as they protect our community every single day,” Rollins wrote.
A New York City residence belonging to Howard Lutnick, Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, was also reported to be targeted, New York City Police said on Wednesday. Police said they responded to a 911 call just after 8 a.m. ET after someone told police that an email was sent to a third party indicating that “terroristic threats” were made to residence.
Americans approve of Trump’s Cabinet picks
A recent CBS News/YouGov poll, meanwhile, shows that 59% of the people surveyed approve of the way Trump is handling his transition back to the White House.
For instance, 44% of those asked thought Republican Florida Sen. Marco Rubio would be a good choice for Secretary of State. There were 47% who felt that Robert F. Kennedy Jr. was a good choice to be Secretary for Health and Human Services, and 33% thought the same of Fox News host Pete Hegseth for Secretary of Defense. Tulsi Gabbard for Director of National Intelligence was thought of as a good choice by 36% of people.
Leavitt did not say how many Cabinet nominees had been targeted or which of those people nominated for spots in Trump’s admininstration reportedly received threats.
This is a developing story. Refresh for updates