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Nikki Haley (on November 29, 2023)

Photo: Cj Gunther / EPA

The tone in the primary election campaign among the US Republicans is becoming increasingly harsh - and sometimes supporters of certain candidates are probably overstepping the mark. Police have recorded a wave of threats and intimidation attempts against government officials, members of the judiciary and election workers.

This also applies to Nikki Haley, Donald Trump's last competition for his party's nomination in the US presidential election campaign.

Most recently reported, there was a fake emergency at Haley's home on December 30th in Kiawah Island, South Carolina. Municipal documents seen by Reuters show that a man claimed to have shot a woman at Haley's home and had threatened to harm himself. Haley's campaign team declined to comment on the representations. Trump had recently publicly denigrated Haley, who continues to refuse to withdraw from the primary election campaign, several times.

As Reuters now reports, there was another call to the police two days after the first incident. A person who identified himself as “Rose” explained that Haley’s daughter was lying in a pool of blood. According to the person who called, Haley was also threatening to shoot herself. An inspection by the Charleston County Sheriff's Office revealed no emergency conditions at the scene. The second call was also a case of so-called “swatting”.

Calls are becoming more and more frequent

The aim seems to be to use fake emergencies to cause unrest and build up psychological pressure. The name is derived from “Swat” (Special Weapons and Tactics), a collective term for special tactical units of the US police authorities. Experts see this as a form of intimidation that is increasingly being used against prominent personalities.

The number of similar attacks and threats has increased sharply in the last two months, targeting both Trump's allies and rivals.

Targets include people who have publicly opposed Trump, like Maine state Rep. Shenna Bellows. Judges and at least one prosecutor handling cases against Trump have also been targeted. Trump supporters like Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene are also affected.

jok/Reuters