In a disturbing trend of intimidation and harassment, a wave of violent threats, bomb scares, and other acts of intimidation have been unleashed against government officials, members of the judiciary, and election administrators since the 2020 election, causing alarm among law enforcement ahead of this year's U.S. presidential contest.

Authorities recently responded to a "swatting" incident targeting Republican presidential candidate Nikki Haley's home in South Carolina. According to town records obtained by Reuters, a man claimed to have shot a woman and threatened to harm himself at Haley's residence. However, it was later determined to be a hoax.

Swatting cases have seen a significant surge over the past two months, with both allies and rivals of former President Donald Trump becoming targets. Figures publicly opposed to Trump, like Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, as well as judges and prosecutors handling cases against him, have also been subjected to these dangerous pranks. Even supporters of Trump, such as U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene, have faced swatting attempts.

The incident involving Nikki Haley occurred on December 30, 2023, in Kiawah Island, an affluent gated community in South Carolina. Authorities, including the state police and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), are investigating the incident, aiming to identify the suspect behind the hoax call.

Swatting is a dangerous practice where false reports are made to the police in order to provoke an excessive and potentially dangerous response. It is increasingly being used as a form of intimidation against political figures and officials involved in civil and criminal cases related to Trump.

The incident involving Haley is just one of at least 27 documented swatting incidents reported since November 2023. These incidents have targeted politicians, prosecutors, election officials, and judges, leaving law enforcement agencies on high alert. The targets of these threats span both political parties and include high-profile figures like Democratic presidential nominee Joe Biden.

Similar incidents have occurred across the country. In Florida, Republican Senator Rick Scott's home was targeted with a false report claiming that the caller had shot his wife with an AR-15 rifle. In Georgia, a Republican state senator, John Albers, received a call demanding money and indicating that the caller had shot his wife. A call to Missouri Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft claimed that the caller had shot his wife and intended to kill himself.

Law enforcement agencies are grappling with these escalating threats, with local police, federal agencies like the FBI, and state police departments working together to investigate the incidents. The FBI has highlighted that swatting calls not only endanger first responders but also divert resources from real emergencies.

These threats and acts of intimidation follow the surge in violence and threats against U.S. election workers and officials after the 2020 election. Inspired by false claims of a stolen election, more than 1,000 intimidating messages were documented by Reuters in a campaign of fear against election administrators in battleground states.

As the United States prepares for the next presidential contest, law enforcement agencies and officials are on high alert, aiming to address the escalating trend of violent swatting incidents and protect the safety and well-being of political figures and officials alike.