Former Fox News host Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump's nominee to lead the U.S. Department of Defense, has reacted after being targeted by what he says was a "credible pipe bomb threat."
Trump spokesperson Karoline Leavitt announced on Wednesday that "several" of the president-elect's nominees had been "targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them" on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. Leavitt said the incidents "ranged from bomb threats to 'swatting,'" or the practice of sending police to a target's home by falsely reporting a crime or emergency.
Media reports and remarks by the nominees themselves later revealed that targets included U.S. Representative Elise Stefanik, Trump's U.S. ambassador to the United Nations nominee, Environmental Protection Agency administrator nominee Lee Zeldin and former U.S. Congressman Matt Gaetz, Trump's failed first choice for U.S. attorney general.
Hegseth on Wednesday evening divulged in a post to X, formerly Twitter, that he had been targeted alongside his family. He indicated that his family was unharmed and insisted that he would serve in Trump's Cabinet without being "bullied or intimidated."
"This morning, a police officer arrived at our home—where our seven children were still sleeping," Hegseth wrote. "The officer notified my wife and I that they had received a credible pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family. We are all safe and the threat has been cleared."
"We want to thank law enforcement for their professionalism and bravery," he added. "I will not be bullied or intimidated. Never. President Trump has called on me to serve—and that is what I intend to do."
Newsweek reached out for comment to Trump's office via email on Wednesday night.
Hegseth is one of Trump's most controversial remaining Cabinet picks, with allegations that he sexually assaulted a woman in October 2017 sparking doubts about his ability to be confirmed by the U.S. Senate, despite Republicans holding a 53 to 47 seat majority in January. Hegseth has said the sexual encounter was consensual.
Gaetz withdrew from consideration as Trump's attorney general last week following concerns among some Senate Republicans about his fitness for the job. The ex-congressman was formerly the subject of a House Ethics Committee investigation and a federal criminal probe into allegations of sexual abuse, which he denies.
Hegseth was not the only Trump nominee to react to a purported bomb threat in a social media post on Wednesday, with a statement that was posted to Stefanik's X account on Wednesday morning first revealing that the congresswoman was targeted.
"This morning, Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, her husband, and their three year old son were driving home to Saratoga County from Washington for Thanksgiving when they were informed of a bomb threat to their residence," the statement read.
"New York State, County law enforcement, and U.S. Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism," it continues. "We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7."
Zeldin also announced on X that his family was unharmed after being targeted with a "pipe bomb" that was purportedly sent to his home alongside "a pro-Palestinian themed message."
"A pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message," Zeldin wrote. "My family and I were not home at the time and are safe."
"We are working with law enforcement to learn more as this situation develops," he added. "We are thankful for the swift actions taken by local officers to keep our family, neighbors, and local community secure."
Gaetz provided few details of his experience but replied on Zeldin's post by writing, "same."
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