Political tension is running high in Montgomery County after a local leader, Matthew McCaffery, found himself at the center of a swatting incident over the weekend. The reason? His public endorsement of Kamala Harris in an interview on CNN.
McCaffery, a representative for Upper Merion Township on the county’s Republican Committee, made headlines when he spoke out against Donald Trump on national television. Shortly after his appearance, he claims that Upper Merion Police showed up at his doorstep in response to a fake emergency call – a classic swatting tactic meant to intimidate and disrupt.
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“This happened after I appeared on CNN, where I discussed my decision not to support Donald Trump,” McCaffery shared on social media. “These types of attacks are exactly why I’m speaking out against the MAGA wing of my party and proudly voting for Kamala Harris.”
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’s anti-Trump stance has not gone unnoticed. He has been vocal in his support for Harris, even going as far as appearing on billboards across the county to showcase his shift in political allegiance. In a recent op-ed, he criticized Trump’s treatment of veterans, further solidifying his break from the Republican nominee.
Initially, McCaffery joined the Republican Committee in 2022 with hopes of bolstering the party’s success in local elections. However, his refusal to back the party’s chosen candidate led to a disciplinary hearing, where he anticipated losing his position. As of now, neither McCaffery nor the committee have issued any official statements regarding the outcome.