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Trump cabinet picks targeted in ‘swatting’ incidents; Biden condemns ‘threats of political violence’: Live

FBI on case as president-elect’s nominees and appointees victims of bomb threats and ‘swatting’ incidents this week

Oliver O'Connell,Joe Sommerlad,James Liddell
Wednesday 27 November 2024 15:31 EST
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Special Counsel Jack Smith moves to dismiss charges against Donald Trump in election interference and classified documents cases

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The Trump-Vance transition team says that several of the president-elect’s nominees and appointees have been victims of bomb threats and swatting incidents.

In a statement, spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said: “With President Trump as our example, dangerous acts of intimidation and violence will not deter us.”

The FBI is now investigating and President Joe Biden has unequivocally condemned threats of political violence.

Meanwhile, Donald Trump named a string of nominations for his incoming administration opting for loyalty over experience, including some critical of agencies they are supposed to lead.

On Tuesday, Trump picked Jamieson Greer as US trade representative, Jim O’Neill as deputy secretary of Health and Human Services, Jay Bhattacharya as National Institutes of Health director, Kevin Hassett as National Economic Council director, Vince Haley as Domestic Policy Council chief and John Phelan as Navy secretary.

Bhattacharya, a Covid-19 lockdown skeptic, called for reduced powers of the 27 institutes and centers that constitute the NIH. Phelan, a businessman and Republican megadonor, has no military experience.

Grier will be charged with “reining in the country’s massive trade deficit,” in light of Trump vowing to impose massive tariffs on China, Canada and Mexico – exacerabting fears of a bitter global trade war.

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