FBI says California extremist may have targeted Newsom

California federal prosecutors said Wednesday a man found with homemade bombs and ammunition may have been targeting the government. Gavin NewsomGavin NewsomFBI Says California Extremist May Have Targeted Newsom The Hill’s Morning Report – Biden Advocates For Legislative Patience And Urgent Action Amid Crisis Portland Mayor Blasts Man After Restaurant Showdown MORE and the offices of Facebook and Twitter following social media platforms banning alumni accounts President TrumpDonald Trump FBI says California extremist may have targeted Newsom House Democrat touts resolution to kick Marjorie Taylor Greene from congressional Facebook to recall political content on platform.

Prosecutors said Ian Benjamin Rogers was charged on Tuesday after he was found with five homemade bombs and other firearms after authorities searched his business on January 15. He had 49 rifles and thousands of cartridges, according to the criminal complaint.

Rogers claimed the homemade bombs were for entertainment purposes only and were not intended to be used against anyone.

But messages found on Rogers’ phone showed possible threats against social media groups Twitter and Facebook, as well as threats against Newsom.

“We can attack Twitter or the Democrats you choose” and “We can attack Twitter and the Democrats easily right now burn they’re dead,” Rogers told a friend. He claimed the “bag office” would be the first target, a reference supposed to be Newsom’s office in Sacramento.

A Newsom spokeswoman told the Los Angeles Times that the governor is aware of the arrest and is working with the authorities as part of the investigation.

Rogers now faces charges of illegal possession of unregistered destructive devices. The charges carry a 10-year prison sentence and a fine of $ 250,000.

Rogers also had a “Three Percent” sticker on his vehicle, a pro-gun and anti-government group. A “white privilege card” for Rogers was also found by authorities.

“I know that many extreme anti-government militias are populated by white supremacists,” said Stephanie Minor, a special agent for the Federal Bureau of Investigations, in the complaint.

Minor wrote in the complaint that he believed Rogers was also targeting the offices of Facebook and Twitter because the two social media platforms had permanently suspended Trump’s accounts following the Jan.6 riot on Capitol Hill by a pro-Trump mob.