Several of Donald Trump’s picks for cabinet and administration jobs have been targeted by bomb threats and “swatting” in recent days, the FBI has confirmed.

The threats were made on Tuesday and Wednesday morning (US time), with police swooping in to ensure the safety of those targeted.

Trump’s transition team spokesperson Karoline Leavitt made the revelation on Thursday morning (AEDT), and the FBI confirmed the incidents.

“Last night and this morning, several of president Trump’s cabinet nominees and administration appointees were targeted in violent, unAmerican threats to their lives and those who live with them,” Leavitt said.

“With president Trump as our example, dangerous acts of intimidation and violence will not deter us.”

Swatting means making hoax calls to emergency services to lure police to an address.

The president-elect has been handpicking the most controversial cabinet in modern US history. None of the targets have been officially named by the FBI or Trump’s team.

However, Trump’s pick to serve as ambassador to the United Nations, Elise Stefanik, said her family home had been the target of a bomb threat.

Stefanik, from New York, said she and her husband and three-year-old son were informed while they were driving from Washington to New York State.

“New York State, County law enforcement, and US Capitol Police responded immediately with the highest levels of professionalism,” Stefanik said.

Lee Zeldin, Trump’s nominee to head the Environmental Protection Agency, said a “pipe bomb threat” was sent to his home with a “pro-Palestinian themed message”.

“My family and I were not home at the time and are safe,” he said.

“We are thankful for the swift actions taken by local officers.”

Brooke Rollins, Trump’s pick to lead the Department of Agriculture, revealed a threat to her family on Wednesday.

“We were unharmed and quickly returned home,” she posted to X.

“I want to express my deep gratitude to the law-enforcement professionals who did their utmost, in both speed and expertise, to protect us — as they protect our community every single day.”

The BBC reports that the home of Trump’s nominee for commerce secretary, Howard Lutnick, was also threatened.

Florida Republican Matt Gaetz, who recently dropped out of the running to become US attorney general, was also targeted, writes the BBC.

The FBI confirmed numerous bomb threats and swatting incidents targeting incoming administration nominees and appointees.

A bureau spokesperson said the FBI was working with its law enforcement partners.

“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 spokesperson said.

During the election campaign, Trump survived an assassination attempt at a rally in Pennsylvania  and was stalked by a gunman at his Florida golf course.

Since defeating Vice President Kamala Harris in the presidential race, Trump has named his choices for key roles in his second administration.

They include Robert F Kennedy Jr, who Trump will nominate as the top US health official, and Tulsi Gabbard, who Trump has named as his intelligence chief.