(The Situation Update Report [SUR] is a near real-time brief of a possible threat or situation being monitored by The Counter Threat Center. The information is accurate at the time of reporting, but may be subject to change.)
Yassin Belhaj, Samuel Pearson
Finley Thomas, Alice Cian, Editor; Elena Alice Rossetti, Senior Editor
November 27, 2024
Police Cars[1]
Current situation: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announces they are aware of bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting nominees and appointees of President-elect Trump’s incoming administration.[2]
Day/Time of event: November 27, 2024 / 1230 Local Time
What is the current threat:
Bomb and swatting threats to intimidate incoming cabinet members will very likely increase ahead of the official inauguration on January 20, 2025, as they almost certainly require minimal resources and have a disruptive impact on operations. These threats likely present a low risk, as similar incidents occurred before and during the presidential elections but did not materialize into concrete attacks.
President-elect Trump’s supporters will very likely blame law enforcement services and the outgoing administration for the perceived lack of security provided to Trump and his entourage. They will likely view these threats as attempts to obstruct the incoming administration’s agenda, likely deepening political polarization in the US.
Far-right activists will very likely blame left-wing politicians and groups for the threats, likely fueling conspiracy theories and hate speech online. Far-right groups will very likely exploit threats against Trump’s future administration as a justification for future violence targeting left-wing protests or the organization of disruptive public actions.
Who will it directly impact:
Trump administration's governmental transition team
Trump’s nominees and appointees
Federal law enforcement
State and local law enforcement
Far-right groups
Far-left groups
Emergency services
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[1] Police car, generated by a third party database
[2] FBI Statement Regarding Threats to Nominees and Appointees, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), November 2024, https://www.fbi.gov/news/press-releases/fbi-statement-regarding-threats-to-nominees-and-appointees