Pete Hegseth, Donald Trump’s pick for defense secretary, was among several Cabinet nominees and appointees in the president-elect’s incoming administration who were the target of bomb threats and so-called “swatting” on Wednesday, the Guardian has learned.

Elise Stefanik, a Republican congresswoman from New York and Trump’s pick for U.S. ambassador to the United Nations who has emerged in recent years as a far-right loyalist to Trump, was the subject of a bomb threat, her office said.

The home of Howard Lutnick, Trump’s pick for commerce secretary and part of his transition team, was threatened, Bronx affiliate News 12 reported. And Lee Zeldin, the commissioner of the Environmental Protection Agency, saw his Long Island home threatened, also reported News 12 in Long Island.

Zeldin later posted on He said they weren’t home and were trying to find out more.

It was also reported on CNN that Matt Gaetz was also targeted. The former congressman was Trump’s first choice for US attorney general but withdrew after eight days amid a sexual misconduct scandal that meant he was at risk of not being confirmed by the Senate.

A spokesman for Trump confirmed threats against some of his Cabinet members, but did not immediately name names or say how many people had received threats.

The FBI later said it was involved in the investigation of the incidents.

But Hegseth, the military veteran embroiled in controversy over his hardline conservative views and a sex scandal, is among those threatened, according to two people familiar with the developments.

It was said that he received a threat at home that a pipe bomb was aimed at him. It was unclear whether the threats were real weapons or hoaxes, but as events unfolded in the early afternoon there were no signs that bombs had been located. It is understood the threat led to a law enforcement bomb disposal squad being dispatched to his residence.

Other than Zeldin’s social media comment, there were no further comments regarding a possible motive. Israel’s war in Gaza continues despite a ceasefire declared with Hezbollah in Lebanon.

The campaign also saw a wave of bomb threats, with election officials and their offices often targeted.

To date, Trump has put together one of the most controversial and contradictory Cabinet teams in US presidential history, thereby delighting his supporters.

The threats occurred on both Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning. According to Karoline Leavitt, Trump’s spokeswoman and incoming White House press secretary, who released a statement, members of law enforcement and various agencies acted quickly to ensure the safety of the targets.

Leavitt did not provide further details about the nature of the various threats. Spokespeople for the FBI and Justice Department did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Leavitt said the attacks “ranged from bomb threats to ‘brawls,'” when a prank call was made to police intended to prompt them to launch a massive, armed response to a person’s home, causing fear and maximum chaos cause.

Stefanik’s office wrote in a post on “New York State, District Law Enforcement and U.S. Capitol Police immediately responded with the utmost professionalism.”

Wednesday’s developments follow two assassination attempts against Trump himself during his election campaign.

On July 13, a gunman fired into the crowd during an outdoor Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania, wounding two attendees and killing one. Trump was grazed by the gunfire but escaped almost unharmed.

Two months later, on September 15, a suspect was caught pointing a gun at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago golf course, where Trump was golfing. He was arrested the same day.

Both incidents prompted the campaigns of both Trump and his rival, Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, to implement increased security measures for the duration of the race. After the Pennsylvania shooting, Trump often appeared at rallies behind bulletproof glass.