Former FBI Deputy Director Andrew McCabe responded to reports that President-elect Trump’s Cabinet picks received threats, saying the news isn’t surprising.
“It doesn’t surprise me at all,” McCabe told CNN’s Erica Hill in an interview on “The Lead” on Wednesday evening. “This has become a very, very common aspect of life for really anyone who is in a high-profile or even remotely controversial position.”
“It’s been going on for years. It presents the same challenge to law enforcement each time someone engages in it,” he added. “They probably know, 90 percent sure, that these threats, as they come in, are worthless.”
At least four officials tapped by Trump to serve in his incoming administration reported receiving bomb threats Wednesday, ahead of the Thanksgiving holiday. “Swatting” incidents, which happen when a false claim of a major event such as a kidnapping or mass shooting is reported to authorities in an effort to prompt a significant police response, were also reported.
Trump transition spokesperson and incoming press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed the news in a statement shared on the social platform X.
“In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted,” the post reads. “President Trump and the entire Transition team are grateful for their swift action.”
Despite seemingly brushing off the threats, McCabe acknowledged that law enforcement has to take each threat seriously.
“They are hoax. There’s nothing to them, but they can’t take the risk of not responding on the off chance that one real threat gets through,” he told the host. “So, they’ve developed all sorts of tactics to try to respond to these targeted locations, but in a way with something less than actually sending out a SWAT team or a massive armed response.”
“They’ve gotten quite good at it. It’s something that really, you know, is a … is levied on the shoulders of local law enforcement,” McCabe continued. “The FBI comes in at times to help investigate who might be behind these, but it’s really our local law enforcement folks that bear the burden of it.”
The FBI later confirmed it was aware of the threats and looking into the incidents.
A White House spokesperson also told The Hill that President Biden had been briefed on the threats, and the administration was in touch with federal law enforcement and Trump’s team to monitor the situation.