White House Gets Swatted, Fake 9-1-1 Call Reportedly Draws More Than a Dozen Fire Trucks and EMS Vehicles

(AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)

The White House was the apparent victim of a “swatting” incident early Monday morning.

Several news outlets reported that an unknown person called 9-1-1 to falsely report a fire at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue around 7 a.m. Monday.

CNN’s Betsy Klein posted to social media, “Another troubling, dangerous swatting incident this AM: A caller falsely told 911 that the White House was on fire and someone was trapped inside. A significant emergency response w/ multiple @dcfireems units dispatched in the 7a hour before it was determined to be a false alarm.”

Klein continued, “Dispatch radio audio from the incident indicates multiple DC fire engines and medical responders were sent to the scene. ‘Fire in the White House, 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,’ dispatcher says at 7:04 am. The situation was described as ‘all clear’ at 7:15 am.”

And here’s the official statement, per @NoahGrayDC, Chief Communications Officer for DC Fire and EMS pic.twitter.com/uAnwnNI7A9

— Sara Cook (@saraecook) January 15, 2024

President Joe Biden was at Camp David at the time of the incident.

According to CNN, “swatting” is a “dangerous criminal hoax where a false report is made to police with the express purpose of luring them to a location.”

A recent spate of swatting incidents has targeted notable political and judicial figures, including Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), Judge Tanya Chutkan, Rep. Brandon Williams (R-NY), Boston Mayor Michelle Wu (D), and Sen. Rick Scott (R-FL)

This is a breaking story and has been updated.