ROME, Georgia — Georgia Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green reported on social media that her Rome home was allegedly "swatted" for the eighth time overall on Christmas Day.
Greene said her family was home for the holidays when the incident occurred. The Republican congresswoman represents the congressional district, including Rome, Calhoun, and Dalton.
"I was just swatted. This is like the 8th time. On Christmas with my family here. My local police are the GREATEST and shouldn’t have to deal with this," the politician posted on social media. "I appreciate them so much and my family and I are in joyous spirits celebrating the birth of our savior Jesus Christ!"
A Rome Police Department spokesperson said that someone in Rome, New York made an emergency call at the same time the department received an emergency call that pinged to Greene's home in Georgia's 14th District.
Police reached out to her security team to "ensure her safety and as well as determine that there was, in fact, no emergency at the address," according to the Rome PD spokesperson.
According to an NBC news report, the swatting reported on Christmas Day had similar pretenses to a swatting incident that happened last year at her home.
Last year in August, police received a similar call from an internet chat pretending to be from a suicide hotline. This call was the second SWAT call police received involving Greene's address that week.
When police arrived, they told Greene why they were there. Officials said they could not trace the call.
Authorities have not said if they found the origin of the Christmas Day call.
What is 'swatting'?
According to multiple definitions, "swatting" happens when someone makes a false report to emergency services under the pretext that a crime is being committed or someone is being held hostage to try and prompt a massive police response to a particular address.
It is punishable by federal law, under the "Interstate Swatting Hoax Act" which was passed by Congress in 2015. Those who violate the law could face prison time ranging from five years up to life in prison, depending on the severity of the circumstances, including whether any injuries or deaths happen.