A 26-year-old Romanian man has just confessed to orchestrating a chilling campaign of fear against some of America’s most prominent figures.
The Hill reported that Thomasz Szabo pleaded guilty this week to conspiracy and spreading false threats about explosives, revealing a dark web of digital intimidation that targeted lawmakers, religious sites, and even a former U.S. president. This isn’t just a petty prank; it’s a stark reminder of how far some will go to sow chaos.
From late 2020 to early 2024, Szabo led an online group in a spree of “swatting” hoaxes and bomb threats, hitting dozens of high-profile individuals and institutions across the nation.
Federal prosecutors pegged Szabo as the ringleader of this shadowy network, engaging in “swatting”—a dangerous tactic of making fake emergency calls to trigger aggressive police responses.
It’s the kind of stunt that wastes resources and puts lives at risk, all for a twisted thrill. Turns out, hiding behind a screen doesn’t shield you from justice.
Way back in December 2020, Szabo upped the ante by threatening a mass shooting at synagogues in New York City. That’s not just a hoax; it’s a calculated attempt to spread terror in communities of faith. For a self-proclaimed tough guy, targeting houses of worship seems like a particularly low blow.
By January 2021, Szabo’s threats grew even bolder, claiming he’d detonate explosives at the U.S. Capitol and personally harm the then-President-elect.
Such audacity against the heart of our government isn’t just criminal—it’s a direct challenge to the stability we hold dear. If you thought progressive overreach was a problem, try dealing with overseas anarchists.
Fast forward to late December 2023 through early January 2024, and Szabo’s crew unleashed a barrage of swatting calls and bomb scares. Their targets? At least 25 members of Congress or their families, plus a slew of senior federal and state officials, including Cabinet-level figures.
Among those caught in this digital crossfire were Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia, Georgia Lt. Gov. Burt Jones, and Georgia State Sen. Clint Dixon, as reported by local news outlets.
These are folks fighting for conservative values, and yet they’re forced to endure threats that no public servant should face. It’s a sad day when standing up for America paints a target on your back.
The list of victims didn’t stop there—Szabo’s group also went after six current or former senior Executive Branch officials and 13 top federal law enforcement officers. Even members of the judiciary and 27 state government officials or their kin weren’t spared. This wasn’t random; it was a systematic attack on our system itself.
Adding insult to injury, four religious institutions and multiple media figures were also on the hit list. When you start harassing places of worship and the press, you’re not just breaking laws—you’re undermining the very pillars of a free society. Perhaps Szabo missed the memo on what makes America great.
Szabo’s reign of terror finally hit a wall when he was extradited from Romania in November 2024.
He stood before U.S. District Judge Amy Berman Jackson in Washington, D.C., to admit his guilt on two serious counts. It’s a small victory, but a victory nonetheless, for law and order over chaos.
Attorney General Pam Bondi didn’t mince words, stating, “This defendant led a dangerous swatting criminal conspiracy.”
She’s right—hiding overseas while terrorizing Americans doesn’t make you untouchable; it just delays the inevitable. Turns out, actions have consequences, even across oceans.
Bondi also emphasized, “This case reflects our continued focus on protecting the American people.” Her commitment to working with international partners to stop these threats at their root is exactly the kind of no-nonsense approach we need. Let’s hope this sends a loud message to other would-be digital troublemakers.