Lee Zeldin’s Shirley home targeted by pipe bomb threat amid wave of incidents against Trump Cabinet picks

The Shirley home of former congressman Lee Zeldin, President-elect Donald Trump’s pick to lead the Environmental Protection Agency, was targeted by a pipe bomb threat on Wednesday morning, Zeldin and police confirmed.

Zeldin’s residence was one of several properties connected to Trump’s Cabinet picks and administration appointees to face threats of violence this week, according to the FBI. Police responded to Zeldin’s home at 8:52 a.m. after receiving reports of a bomb threat, Suffolk Police said.

Zeldin confirmed that the pipe bomb threat was made against him and his family at his home, and that it was delivered with “a pro-Palestinian themed message.” He added that they were not home.

“My family and I were not home at the time and are safe,” he said in an X (formerly Twitter) post. “We are working with law enforcement to learn more as this situation develops.”

A Suffolk Police spokesperson added, “Emergency Service Section officers are checking the property.”

A pipe bomb threat targeting me and my family at our home today was sent in with a pro-Palestinian themed message. My family and I were not home at the time and are safe. We are working with law enforcement to learn more as this situation develops. We are thankful for the swift…

— Lee Zeldin (@leezeldin) November 27, 2024

Other Trump nominees targeted include upstate New York Congresswoman Elise Stefanik, who has been tapped to serve as U.S. ambassador to the United Nations. Stefanik’s office reported that her Saratoga County home was also threatened with a bomb scare while she, her husband, and their 3-year-old son were traveling home for Thanksgiving.

The FBI said in a statement “numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents” have targeted incoming presidential appointees and nominees.

“We take all potential threats seriously and, as always, encourage members of the public to immediately report anything they consider suspicious to law enforcement,” the FBI said in a statement posted to its social media accounts.

FBI Statement Regarding Threats to Nominees and Appointees https://t.co/PNbmuHjrrl pic.twitter.com/tenOKMeupW

— FBI (@FBI) November 27, 2024

Stefanik said New York state and county law enforcement, along with U.S. Capitol Police, responded immediately.

“We are incredibly appreciative of the extraordinary dedication of law enforcement officers who keep our communities safe 24/7,” she said. “We want to share our best wishes to the Upstate NY community for a happy and safe Thanksgiving. We are especially grateful to our law enforcement officers and military families who are on duty over the holiday season.”

In Manhattan, a property owned by Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, was similarly targeted, according to the NYPD.

In a statement, Trump transition team spokesperson Karoline Leavitt said, “These attacks ranged from bomb threats to ‘swatting.’ In response, law enforcement and other authorities acted quickly to ensure the safety of those who were targeted. President Trump and the entire transition team are grateful for their swift action.”

EXCLUSIVE: Nearly a dozen #Trump Cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted with “violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them,” prompting a “swift” law enforcement response.https://t.co/0JJ3yV1YUI

— Brooke Singman (@BrookeSingman) November 27, 2024

Zeldin, a longtime Long Island resident and former gubernatorial candidate, was announced as Trump’s EPA nominee earlier this month. The threats come as Trump’s transition team works to finalize Cabinet appointments ahead of his inauguration in January.

This is a developing story. Please check back with Greater Long Island for updates.

_{Top photo: Zeldin and his family (X).}