US presidential candidate Nikki Haley recently became the target of a ‘swatting’ attack. here’s what it means

This matter is under investigation

Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley’s South Carolina home was the target of a “swatting” incident late last month, a new report says. According to reutersOn December 30, a man at Ms. Haley’s home on Kiawah Island claimed to have shot a woman and threatened to harm herself. Ms. Haley, who previously served as governor of South Carolina, and her family were not home at the time of the call. Later it was considered a fake emergency.

The South Carolina State Police, the FBI, and Ms. Haley’s security team were notified of the incident. Meanwhile, law enforcement agencies have not yet publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in the case.

What is swatting?

Swatting is the act of contacting the police with a false report of an emergency. This involves anonymous people using the addresses of public figures when calling 911 to report fake violent incidents such as murders and shootings. The goal of the false police report is to get a SWAT team response by police at the target’s home.

The incident is the latest in a series of ‘swatting’ attempts targeting high-profile national figures. Representative. marjorie taylor green There was also an attempted attack on Christmas just days before Ms Haley’s home was reportedly targeted. shena bellowsMaine’s secretary of state, who blocked Trump from voting in the state’s Republican primary, was also implicated in a similar incident.

Law enforcement experts view ‘swatting’ as a form of intimidation or harassment that is being used to target political figures and officials involved in civil and criminal cases against Trump. According to Reuters, there have been at least 27 incidents involving politicians, prosecutors, election officials and judges since November 2023. Officials fear that there will be more such incidents before this year’s presidential elections.

nikki haley vs donald trump

Notably, Ms Haley is Donald Trump’s last rival leading the race to secure the party’s nomination to challenge President Joe Biden in the November election. She has lost the first two Republican nomination contests in Iowa and New Hampshire, but has refused to drop out of the race.

In recent days, Ms. Haley has accused former Trump of being delusional and questioned his ability to be president at his age. Responding to her attack, Trump said Saturday that he “feels it more sharply now than I did 20 years ago.” The former US president and his allies have also launched a campaign to oust Ms Haley from the race before the next major vote. Primary race, February 24 in his home state of South Carolina.

According to Washington Post According to the polls, Donald Trump maintains a significant lead with 52% support, while former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley trails in the presidential race with 34%.