Pa. Republican official’s home swatted after saying on CNN he’s voting for Kamala Harris
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A suburban Philadelphia Republican leader’s home was swatted Friday after he publicly urged others to vote for Vice President Kamala Harris.
Matthew McCaffery, who is a local leader for Upper Merion Republicans, made it clear last month in an opinion piece he wrote for the Inquirer that he’s not voting for former President Donald Trump in November, and he’s encouraging other Republicans to do the same.
Last night, my family was swatted in what Upper Merion Police are classifying as a politically motivated crime. This happened after I appeared on @CNN, where I discussed my decision not to support Donald Trump.
I want to be clear: these types of attacks are exactly why I’m… pic.twitter.com/RvcUcZZlQv
— Matthew McCaffery (@McCaffery2032) August 17, 2024
McCaffery is supporting Vice President Kamala Harris this year and has taken an active role in working with GOP organizations that oppose Trump, according to a report in the Inquirer.
In the op/ed, McCaffery cited what he saw as Trump’s disrespect for the military and concern that Trump posed a threat to democracy. McCaffery, who is a veteran, was interviewed Friday on CNN to discuss his position.
A few hours after the interview aired, police arrived at McCaffrey’s home in an apparent swatting incident, in which someone calls in a fake emergency to draw police to a specific address, according to video McCaffrey posted to X, formerly known as Twitter.
Upper Merion Police did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
McCaffrey’s video showed him exiting his home with his hands above his head before an officer patted him down. He said two officers were at his door with their service weapons drawn while another was stationed at the bottom of the stairs to his front porch holding a rifle. Police then searched his home, McCaffrey said.
The Montgomery County GOP has scheduled a disciplinary hearing for McCaffery on Monday evening that could result in his ouster, the Inquirer said.
Montgomery County GOP Chair Christian Nascimento said his actions against Trump led to a complaint and Monday’s hearing, adding that “Republican committee people and municipal leaders have to work for Republican candidates and specifically can’t encourage people to vote against Republican candidates.”
McCaffrey said he expected to be removed from his position.
“I think people usually just resign,” he told the Inquirer. “I’m not that kind of guy.”