An Indiana state senator was the victim of a swatting incident Sunday just hours after President Donald Trump criticized him and other Republican lawmakers for not redrawing the state's congressional map, according to the lawmaker and the local sheriff.
Vigo County Sheriff Derek Fell said on his office's Facebook account that an email was sent to a police department "advising harm had been done to persons inside a home," which was state Sen. Greg Goode's address.
"Attempts were initially unsuccessful to raise anyone at the residence, but ultimately contact was made with persons inside the home," the statement said. "All persons were secure, safe, and unharmed. Investigation showed that this was a prank or false email (also known as ‘swatting’)."
Swatting is when someone makes a false report to law enforcement to intimidate or harass a victim with a police response.
Trump had blasted Goode, a Republican, alongside other Indiana politicians on his social media site Sunday morning for not pursuing redistricting efforts in the state to favor the GOP in next year’s midterm elections. On Friday, the state Senate Republican leader, Rodric Bray, announced that the chamber did not have enough support to move forward with redrawing the map.
Goode said in a statement that "Vigo County sheriff’s deputies responded to the incident under the impression of a domestic violence emergency," adding that the deputies "professionally fulfilled their duty."
"While this entire incident is unfortunate and reflective of the volatile nature of our current political environment, I give thanks to God that my family and I are ok," he said.
Goode also thanked the sheriff, the local police chief and first responders.
The White House did not immediately respond to a request for comment on the swatting incident. Trump said Monday on Truth Social that he would "strongly" endorse against Indiana state lawmakers who do not support redistricting.
"We must keep the Majority at all costs," Trump said in the post. "Republicans must fight back!"
Fell, the sheriff, said his office would investigate the swatting incident alongside federal authorities "with every intention of discovering who is responsible."
"A false or prank call of this nature will never be acceptable," Fell's statement said. "Not only do calls like this waste and reduce resources of deputies serving and protecting other parts of our county, they have a negative impact on the victim and their families as well."
Trump's post Sunday also called out Republican Gov. Mike Braun, who has supported redistricting efforts. In his Truth Social post, Trump said Braun, "perhaps, is not working the way he should to get the necessary Votes."
Braun said Monday morning on X that he had "a great call" with Trump, in which Braun "told him I remain committed to standing with him on the critical issue of passing fair maps in Indiana to ensure the MAGA agenda is successful in Congress."
Braun called on legislators to vote on redrawing the maps, accusing the Republican-led state Senate of "hiding behind closed doors."
Trump has pushed Republican-led state legislatures across the country to redraw congressional district maps to favor the GOP during next year's midterm elections. Some Democratic-led legislatures, including California's, have sought to respond with redrawn maps of their own.
Reached for comment after Trump criticized Goode and Indiana Republicans but before the swatting incident Sunday, Goode's spokesperson, Lance Gideon, said Goode has said he "would not take a public stance unless and until he saw an officially introduced map and legislation on the floor of the State Senate."
"He respectfully maintains that position," Gideon said.
U.S. Sen. Todd Young, R-Ind., condemned the swatting on X, saying, "What happened to Senator Goode and his family last night was shameful and cowardly."
"This was a serious situation, and I am grateful that no one was injured and for the professionalism of law enforcement," Young said.
