Thu Mar 20 11:40:00 UTC 2025: ## Conservative Influencers Targeted in Wave of “Swatting” Attacks

**Alabama, NC –** A surge in “swatting” attacks has targeted at least a dozen conservative influencers in the past two weeks, prompting investigations by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Swatting involves making false emergency calls, often reporting a mass shooting, to lure police to a victim’s home.

Larry Taunton, a conservative influencer with a large following on X and YouTube, was awoken at 1 a.m. Sunday by his dog’s frantic reaction to a figure attempting to open his front door. He found three officers with guns drawn, responding to a call claiming multiple men were “executing” people inside. Similarly, Erin Derham and her husband, Mat Van Swol, also prominent conservative voices on social media, experienced a terrifying early morning swatting. A caller falsely reported that Van Swol had shot Derham and himself, prompting a massive police response that included multiple officers, fire trucks, and ambulances.

Many of the targeted influencers have expressed support for former President Donald Trump and interacted with Elon Musk on X. The timing coincides with a wave of vandalism against Tesla, raising speculation about a possible connection, although authorities have not confirmed any link.

Both Taunton and Derham described the ordeal as terrifying and highlighted the potential for deadly consequences. They recounted the intense fear and trauma experienced, while emphasizing the psychological impact on their families and even the responding officers. Derham noted that subsequent harassment includes unwanted late-night pizza deliveries with instructions to knock loudly.

Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem vowed to use available resources to track down the perpetrators, emphasizing that these attacks are a threat to both innocent families and law enforcement. FBI Director Kash Patel also confirmed that the FBI is actively investigating these incidents.

The incidents highlight the dangers of swatting, a crime that has already resulted in fatalities in the past. While authorities investigate, the targeted influencers remain resolute in their commitment to continue speaking out, refusing to be silenced by fear.

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