A swatting attempt targeting Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) has led to a fatal car crash in Rome, Georgia. The false bomb threat marks the ninth swatting incident Greene has faced, highlighting the dangers of this increasingly common tactic against conservative leaders.
The Rome Police Department’s Assistant Chief of Police received an email alleging a bomb threat directed at Greene. As officers responded, one driving a personal vehicle to join the bomb squad was involved in a traffic accident that killed a woman and left the officer injured.
Authorities traced the email to a Russian IP address. Greene, in collaboration with law enforcement, is pushing for accountability and justice against those responsible for the hoax.
Swatting has become a dangerous tool for radicals targeting political figures, often with devastating consequences. Greene was previously targeted during the holidays last year when a false report claimed violence at her residence. Quick action by dispatchers prevented officers from being sent to her home.
The attack on Greene comes amid a larger wave of swatting incidents targeting conservative figures. Recently, President-elect Donald Trump’s appointees faced bomb threats and similar harassment.
House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned the trend, calling it “dangerous and unhinged.” The Rome tragedy underscores the need for stronger action against swatting, as these malicious hoaxes endanger lives, strain law enforcement, and deepen political divisions.
