Former Representative Mike Gallagher‘s sudden exit from Congress earlier this year was primarily driven by a toxic political environment and a deeply unsettling incident involving his family, as he revealed in a recent Washington Post column.
Gallagher had previously cited a harrowing swatting event as a key factor in his decision to leave the House after eight years. The Post’s foreign affairs columnist, David Ignatius, elaborated on this incident, which local authorities in Green Bay confirmed. On December 30, 2023, an anonymous call reported that Gallagher had been shot and his wife and daughters were held hostage. A SWAT team dispatched to their home found the family unharmed.
Former Representative Gallagher transitions to Palantir Technologies, focusing on defense
“That was when we realized we needed to step back from politics,” Gallagher told Ignatius.
His departure surprised many, especially given the GOP’s fragile majority in the House. Wisconsin’s WLUK reported in April that threats against Gallagher’s family likely influenced his decision. Gallagher, who had won his 2022 election with over 72% of the vote, expressed his desire to prioritize family over politics, acknowledging the heavy toll the job took on them.
Despite his strong electoral performance and military background as a Marine who served two tours in Iraq, Gallagher faced backlash from some conservative circles, particularly after opposing the impeachment of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. He argued that impeachment would not address the border crisis and would set a troubling precedent for future administrations.
Gallagher, who chaired the House select committee on U.S.-China competition, criticized Congress for becoming a “green room” for media personalities rather than a functioning legislative body. He has since transitioned to a role at Palantir Technologies, focusing on defense initiatives.
