INDIANAPOLIS, Indiana — More than a dozen Indiana lawmakers have been targeted with swatting attempts, death threats and other intimidation as the battle over redrawing the state’s congressional map intensifies. Statehouse leaders and law enforcement officials condemned the surge in threats, calling them unprecedented and dangerous.
Rep. Ben Smaltz, the Republican carrying the redistricting bill, said he received a threat Tuesday that his family would be killed before he was murdered. He is at least the 13th legislator to report threats, and lawmakers on both sides of the debate have been targeted. Gov. Mike Braun and Indiana GOP Chair Lana Keesling have also been threatened.
The escalation comes during a year marked by rising political violence nationwide, including the assassinations of Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and political activist Charlie Kirk. Polarization has increased as leaders across the political spectrum rely more heavily on inflammatory rhetoric.
Tensions inside the Statehouse have also grown. Rep. Ed Clere, one of the first Republicans to oppose the redistricting plan, said comments by Rep. Mitch Gore suggesting which Republicans could join Democrats to break quorum amounted to creating a “target list.” Gore, a sheriff’s office captain, rejected that characterization, saying extremists — not parliamentary strategy — are responsible for threats.
Indiana State Police said they are monitoring the incidents and adjusting security protocols.
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