The director of the FBI, Kash Patel, disclosed during an appearance on Joe Rogan's podcast that his house was recently the target of a swatting attempt — a hoax call designed to draw a heavy police response.
According to Breitbart, the false emergency call, which took place earlier in the week, comes amid a rising number of swatting cases aimed at conservative figures and media personalities.
Patel shared the incident with podcast host Rogan during an episode covered by Fox 5 on Friday. The swatting reportedly took place around 11 a.m. Tuesday, when law enforcement received a phony report regarding Patel's residence. Fortunately, officers were able to assess the call as a fraud before deploying a SWAT response team to the home.
Authorities Intercept False Report Before Police Deployment
During the podcast conversation, Rogan appeared surprised by the news and responded immediately, asking, “You got swatted?” Patel confirmed the incident and expressed his frustration with the tactics being used against him and others in the public eye. He highlighted the political double standards he believes are being applied in cases involving law enforcement.
“They did, and they continue to do it,” Patel said. “Shit, my house just got swatted yesterday.” He called the perpetrators' behavior deeply hypocritical, accusing them of applying selective rules depending on political alignment.
This incident closely follows a series of similar swatting attacks from March, in which several conservative media figures and commentators were reportedly targeted in a single week. According to reporting by Breitbart News, these instances increasingly reflect a broader pattern of politically motivated harassment.
Definition and Public Danger of Swatting Incidents
The FBI defines swatting as an incident involving deceptive emergency calls that falsely report a violent or dangerous crime, such as a hostage crisis or active shooter, to provoke deployment of a SWAT team. These calls often utilize digital masking tools, like Google Voice or VPN services, to shield the caller's identity.
Patel emphasized the danger of these hoaxes, focusing on the risks they pose to both the intended targets and responding officers. While no officers were deployed to his home due to quick thinking from law enforcement, other historical swatting cases across the country have had deadly consequences, in some cases resulting in homicide charges against the instigators.
Reacting on the X social platform, Patel stated that the Bureau is fully aware of the broader campaign to weaponize emergency police response through swatting. He confirmed that his team is already investigating these crimes to identify and punish those responsible.
Federal Response Emphasizes Nonpartisan Approach
In his post on X, Patel made clear that the FBI would not tolerate the misuse of law enforcement assets as a tool for political intimidation. “This isn’t about politics,” he wrote. “Weaponizing law enforcement against ANY American is not only morally reprehensible but also endangers lives, including those of our officers.”
Patel also announced that the FBI is committed to partnering with local agencies to address the rise in hoax calls, stating, “We are fully committed to working with local law enforcement to crack down on these crimes.” He indicated that this coordination will be central to future investigations, which are already underway. Further updates on the investigation and government efforts to stop swatting incidents will be shared with the public in due time, he added. “More updates to come,” Patel wrote.
Recent Confirmation Sparks Attention to Patel’s Role
Patel, who was officially confirmed as director of the FBI in February, has faced opposition from Democratic lawmakers due to his previous affiliations and views. Still, his appointment received enough support to move forward, placing him at the helm of an agency increasingly tasked with addressing politically charged threats.
As the focus intensifies on swatting as a method of public endangerment, Patel's recent personal experience offers a stark reminder of the dangerous outcomes such hoaxes can have. His statements suggest a desire to treat these incidents not as political tools, but as criminal offenses with high stakes.
With incidents multiplying and law enforcement now more alert to the phenomenon, Patel’s ordeal may serve as a turning point for shifting how these threats are investigated and prosecuted nationwide.
