The director of the FBI has strong words Wednesday for supporters of the former President Donald Trump who have been using violent rhetoric in the wake of his agency's search of Trump's Mar-a-Lago home.
In 2017, Christopher Wray, who was appointed by Trump as the agency's director, called threats against federal agents and the Justice Department deplorable and dangerous. Wray said that they are always concerned about threats to law enforcement. No matter who you are upset with, violence against law enforcement is not the answer. Wray made remarks after a news conference during a long-planned visit to the agency's field office in Omaha, Nebraska, where he spoke about the FBI's focus on cybersecurity. He declined to answer questions about the hours-long search Monday by FBI agents of Trump's Palm Beach, Florida resort.
It has been easy to find threats and call to arms in those corners of the internet favored by right-wing extremists since Trump has announced the search of his Florida home. Reactions included Lock and Load and calls for federal agents and even U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland to be assassinated.
On Gab, a social media site popular with white supremacists and antisemites, one poster naming himself Stephen said he was awaiting the call to mount an armed revolution.
It takes only one call. Millions will arm up and take back this country. It will be over in less than 2 weeks, the post said.
Another Gab poster said: Lets get this started! This unelected, illegitimate regime crossed the line with their GESTAPO raid! It is long past time that lib socialist filth was cleansed from American society! The search of Trump's residence Monday is part of an investigation into whether Trump has taken classified records from the White House to his Florida residence, according to people familiar with the matter. The Justice Department has been investigating the possible mishandling of classified information after the National Archives and Records Administration said it received 15 boxes of White House records, including documents containing classified information, earlier this year.