[ad_1]
The FBI has arrested a Tennessee man who prosecutors say headed to the border with a sniper rifle and explosives to join a militia group, but the man’s son says he’s telling all. Meanwhile, threats against local elected officials continue to soar as the country heads toward a contentious presidential election, according to a new study. And a new report says he was recorded using Proud Boys slogans on audio recordings from a Navy SEAL who was previously under investigation for his extremist ties.
This week is extremism week.
Arrest after FBI raid on border extremists
The FBI arrested Paul Fay of Tennessee on illegal gun charges this week after conducting an extensive undercover investigation into militia activity on the U.S.-Mexico border. The arrests, first reported by the newsletter Courtwatch, come amid an ongoing legal standoff between Texas Governor Greg Abbott and the White House over the installation of a border fence in small Texas towns. , as a group calling themselves the “Army of God” moved to the border. eagle pass.
- Fay was arrested on suspicion of possessing an unlicensed firearm suppression device, a charge that carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
- As Courtwatch reports, court documents in the case show that the FBI was involved in an undercover investigation into Fey and others that lasted nearly a year. The arrest comes after federal agents also arrested and charged another Tennessee man last year who was accused of planning a “war” with the Border Patrol.
- According to court documents, Fay “discussed his plans to travel to the border and how he planned to transport the explosives to the border.”
NBC News reported Wednesday that Fay’s son called the federal lawsuit “ridiculous.” “They think my father is a terrorist,” Joseph Fay, 30, told NBC. “He’s not a terrorist. He’s talking big, but it’s all lies.”
Research: Intimidation of local political officials remains prevalent
One in six local government employees report being threatened at work, more than half report being insulted, and more than one-third report being harassed, according to a new report from Princeton University’s Ending the Gap Initiative. are doing.
- The study found that experiencing hostility while in office significantly reduces people’s willingness to run for office again.
- The study found that women and minority officials are threatened and harassed at higher than average rates, with one in four women or minority officials experiencing hostility.
As reported by USA TODAY, threats against public servants and other prominent workers are on the rise. Researchers found that the rate of criminal intimidation reached a new record last year.
Report: Navy SEALs under investigation for extremism over use of ‘Proud Boy’ slogan
A San Diego-based Navy SEAL has been cleared of an investigation into alleged ties to extremism. But new reports say he responded to the news by using a slogan after the extremist group Proud Boys.
- Chief Special Warfare Operator after an investigation found his previous anti-LGBTQ+ activities did not violate Department of Defense rules against extremist activity, San Diego public radio station KPBS reported Wednesday. Bryce Henson posted the audio on the secure messaging app Telegram this week.
- KPBS reported that Henson ended his message with the phrase “I’m proud of you boy,” a famous Proud Boy slogan, according to a voice memo he recorded.
- According to the radio station, Henson has spent more than a year in dialogue with school boards opposing so-called “critical race theory” and the rights of LGBTQ+ students, according to local media reports. The incident was investigated by the Special Warfare Center. . The investigation concluded last month and no action was taken against Henson over his alleged extremist ties, KPBS reported.
- Henson has been photographed with members of the Proud Boys and a man with neo-Nazi tattoos.
- KPBS said Navy officials reported that the station was aware of Henson’s recent rants on Telegram.
As USA TODAY reported throughout the last year, the military’s once-proud efforts to stamp out extremism within its ranks appear to have largely stalled.
This week’s stats: 21
NBC News reported this week that death, bomb and other threats against schools and other facilities have continued to this day after far-right influencer Libs on Tik Tok posted against them. .
In November, USA TODAY published an investigation that found more than 20 threats were made against schools, hospitals and other organizations following the TikTok post.
[ad_2]
Source link
