Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ home was “hit” Friday afternoon, police confirmed Saturday.
Maine State Police responded after an unknown man lied about breaking into a home.
Bellows and his family were not present at the time of the fake call.
The incident came after Bellows disqualified former President Trump from the state’s 2024 Republican presidential primary ballot late Thursday, citing Section 3 of the 14th Amendment to the US Constitution, which bars from office those “engaged in rebellion” over his alleged incitement against Jan. 6 riots.
Bellows made the decision after several state residents, including a bipartisan group of former lawmakers, challenged Trump’s position on the ballot.
“Swatting” is when someone calls the police under false pretenses of danger to trigger a law enforcement response, especially a SWAT team to the location.
Maine Secretary of State Shenna Bellows’ home was “hit” Friday afternoon, police confirmed Saturday. AP
Several hit-and-run calls in the past have ended in victims being killed. An Ohio man was sentenced to prison in 2019 after a Kansas man he accidentally hit was killed by police.
On Saturday, Bellows called the callbacks “unacceptable” in a lengthy statement on Facebook.
“Thank you for the messages of love and support,” she wrote. “I am touched by everyone and especially by those of my friends and loved ones who disagree with my decision but have reached out in love and respect.”
Bellows added that his staff had faced “unacceptable” and “relentless threatening communications” on Friday after the decision. “It was designed to intimidate not only me but also others into silence, to send a message. I am very grateful to have an incredible team of employees at the Secretary of State’s Department. [Her husband] Brandon and I are grateful for the incredible and dedicated support from law enforcement during this time.”
Bellows disqualified former President Trump from the Maine state ballot on Thursday. AFP via Getty Images
Maine State Police said officers searched Bellows’ home at his request and found nothing suspicious.
An investigation is underway.
On Christmas Day, Republican U.S. Representatives Brandon Williams of New York and Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia were also the targets of calls.
Later on Tuesday, Republican Rep. Kevin D. Miller of Ohio reported that he was hit.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
