By Daily Mail (U.S.) | Created at 2025-03-14 15:36:40 | Updated at 2025-03-14 19:14:38
3 hours ago
The FBI is investigating a dramatic spike in swatting incidents against high-profile figures in conservative media.
Such attacks involve the perpetrator reporting an innocent person to law enforcement, which can result in police being sent to their home.
At least 10 people reported swatting incidents on Thursday, an FBI official told DailyMail.com.
Radio host Joe Pagliarulo, known by his media persona Joe Pags, confirmed that he caught a man on camera outside his home with a rifle pointed at the house. It was unclear, Pagliarulo confirmed, whether the individual was police or not.
And InfoWars host Chase Geiser said he had police sent to his home twice within 12 hours.
FBI Director Kash Patel says he is cracking down on a spike in swatting attacks as a FBI official told DailyMail.com that there have been 10 reports of such instances on Thursday alone
In the middle of the night, a group of police arrived at Geiser's home and used their megaphones to call him out of his house by name.
'I was handcuffed in the middle of the street,' he detailed on X. 'I was then led into the house where my wife was woken up and we were informed that they received a call from someone pretending to be me and threatening to kill my family.'
Both media figures posted video caught on home security cameras of the respective incidents.
And apparently more are experiencing the same sort of attacks.
Upon hearing of incidents, FBI Director Kash Patel immediately directed his team to respond and coordinate with local law enforcement to get to the bottom of it.
'I want to address the alarming rise in 'Swatting' incidents targeting media figures,' Patel wrote on X.
'The FBI is aware of this dangerous trend, and my team and I are already taking action to investigate and hold those responsible accountable.'
Conservative radio host Joe 'Pags' Pagliarulo revealed video footage of a man outside his home with a rifle
And Infowars host Chase Geiser posted video of police putting him in handcuffs after a person called 911 pretending to be the media personality and threatening to kill his family
Patel said: This isn't about politics - weaponizing law enforcement against ANY American is not only morally reprehensible but also endangers lives, including those of our officers. That will not be tolerated.'
Some people reported incidents to the FBI within days of each other, an official confirmed to DailyMail.com.
