The Inconvenient Pipe Bomber:
The man authorities say is responsible for placing two pipe bombs near the U.S. Capitol complex in 2021 told investigators he believed conspiracy theories that the 2020 election was stolen from then-President Trump, according to a person familiar with the investigation.
The FBI on Thursday arrested Brian J. Cole Jr., 30, and charged him with transportation of an explosive device via interstate commerce, and attempted malicious destruction by means of an explosive device, according to an arrest warrant filed in his case.
The Department of Justice said Cole spoke to law enforcement for more than four hours on Thursday in a custodial interview. He expressed views supportive of Trump, and said he believed the 2020 conspiracy theories, according to the person familiar with the investigation, who wasn’t authorized to speak publicly.
The discovery of the bombs occurred at a critical moment in 2021 — the first was discovered just before the initial breach of rioters at the Peace Circle near the Capitol, and then the second was found as Proud Boys helped flood the Capitol’s west front and the fighting was intensifying.
“If those pipe bombs were intended to be a diversion, plainly speaking, it worked,” Capitol Police Inspector General Michael Bolton told Congress in 2021.
Former USCP Chief Steven Sund wrote in his book that the discovery of the bombs diverted attention and resources at critical moments: “I believe the timing and placement of these devices were deliberate diversionary tactics, intended to divert significant resources away from securing the Capitol, which they succeeded in doing.”
A Geriatric Presidency In Adolescence:
But why can’t (Trump) be bothered to show up in a blood-red House district when base turnout is vital to success, and his party’s majority is so threadbare it may not survive this Congress? And why won’t he, as his advisers and allies keep hoping, start focusing on how he’s addressing the cost of living while trumpeting his party’s accomplishments going into next year’s mid-term election?
The answer is that Trump is living his best life in this second and final turn in the White House. Coming up on one year back in power, he’s turned the office into an adult fantasy camp, a Tom Hanks-in-Big, ice-cream-for-dinner escapade posing as a presidency.
The brazen corruption, near-daily vulgarity and handing out pardons like lollipops is impossible to ignore and deserves the scorn of history. Yet how the president is spending much of his time reveals his flippant attitude toward his second term. This is free-range Trump. And the country has never seen such an indulgent head of state.
Yes, he’s one-part Viktor Orbán, making a mockery of the rule of law and wielding state power to reward friends and punish foes while eroding institutions.
But he’s also a 12-year-old boy: There’s fun trips, lots of screen time, playing with toys, reliable kids’ menus and cool gifts under the tree — no socks or trapper keepers.
Yet, as with all children, there are also outbursts in the middle of restaurants.
Or in this case, the Cabinet Room.
Not surprisingly, companies and countries have figured out what animates Trump, same as every adolescent: presents. So the Brits present a gilded invitation to Windsor Castle, the Qataris offer a tricked-out plane and most every other country pitches their golf courses whenever he wants to come.
And these nations know not to serve him foie gras. Catering to Trump’s forever-young palate, the South Koreans offered beef patties with ketchup and gold-embossed brownies to the American president in October.
What really holds Trump‘s attention, as much as anything can, is the sandbox once known as the White House.
It started with the gateway drug of a larger flagpole, then moved onto paving over the Rose Garden, and now he is constructing a massive ballroom in what used to be the East Wing that will tower over the rest of the building.
Cranes, excavators, fellas in hard hats. Fun!
Lest you think he can be satisfied with just one property renovation, look no further than his Oval Office desk, which includes a model of the Arc de Trump he wants to build between the Lincoln Memorial and Arlington House.
Why be bothered to know the basic details of a potential healthcare plan — homework! — when you can do L’Enfant cosplay?
Got a point there.
ACLU Challenges Fenwick Island’s Definition Of ‘Eligible Voter’. Because Fenwick’s definition of eligible voter includes:
…owners of corporations, limited partnerships, trusts and limited liability companies that own property in town limits — regardless of whether they are permanent residents.
Time to suit up for the parade. I’ll be the one wearing the weirdest Christmas sweater in the entire lineup. No, not the death metal Christmas sweater, not Trump and Putin kissing under the mistletoe (although I’d like to), but the one with the truly disturbing felines.
What do you want to talk about?