Cop who was nearly killed on Jan 6 refers to Trump as ‘authoritarian,’ then his mom is ‘swatted’ hours later

Former DC police officer Michael Fanone faced a terrifying ordeal just hours after denouncing Donald Trump as an “authoritarian” outside of Manhattan criminal court. His 78-year-old mother’s home was reportedly swatted, with law enforcement officers and SWAT team members showing up at her door in response to a fake “manifesto” threatening harm.

Fanone, who was assaulted by rioters at the Capitol on January 6, spoke out against Trump alongside actor Robert DeNiro and others, warning that Trump’s re-election would be disastrous for the country. His anti-Trump rhetoric seems to have inspired the swatting incident, which he described as incredibly dangerous, especially when the target is his elderly mother.

Swatting, the act of falsely reporting an emergency to direct law enforcement to a person’s address, has become increasingly common in connection to politicians and political events. Notably, former presidential candidate Nikki Haley, the White House, and Representative Majorie Taylor Greene have all been targeted in similar incidents.

Fanone’s case is just the latest in a series of swatting incidents linked to Trump and his associates. Judges, prosecutors, and even the Maine Secretary of State have been targeted after crossing paths with the former president. The FBI and Alexandria Police Department are now investigating the incident at Fanone’s mother’s home, which he believes was a direct result of his criticism of Trump.

The dangerous trend of swatting in political contexts highlights the risks faced by those who speak out against powerful figures like Trump. Fanone’s experience serves as a chilling reminder of the potential consequences of challenging authority in today’s polarized political climate.