reports increasingly they're targeting high-profile public officials [ sirens ] >> reporter: it was something congressman brandon williams never expected on christmas day. >> it is a surprise when it happens to you. it's very personal it's very violating. >> reporter: he says someone had called 911 to falsely report violence at his home police recognized his address and called to alert him while they were on their way, but the harassment was terrifying for his family >> i wanted to get my family into a place where they would be safe i brought everybody into the kitchen, and, you know, i just explained what was happening, dropped everything. >> reporter: swatting, as it's known, is when someone makes a false emergency call, often alleging violence at a victim's home, so that heavily armed law enforcement such as a s.w.a.t. team responds, and it's happening more often to prominent and even not so prominent public officials among them, special counsel jack smith, who filed criminal charges against former president trump accusing him of plotting to overturn the 2020 election, also, judge tanya chutkan, who is overseeing the