On Wednesday, FBI special agents in Utah fatally shot a man, identified as Craig Robertson, while attempting to arrest him for alleged threats against President Joe Biden ahead of the president’s scheduled visit to the state.
What Happened: FBI SWAT agents were in the process of arresting Robertson when he brandished a firearm at them, CNN reports.
Robertson faced multiple federal charges, including threats against the president and retaliation against federal law enforcement officers.
Some of these threats were made just before Biden’s planned trip to Utah. The FBI confirmed the incident, stating that the shooting is currently under review by the FBI’s Inspection Division.
"I HEAR BIDEN IS COMING TO UTAH," one threat read, according to the CNN report. "DIGGING OUT MY OLD GHILLE SUIT AND CLEANING THE DUST OFF THE M24 SNIPER RIFLE. WELCOM, BUFFOON-IN-CHIEF!"
See Also: Donald Trump Tells House Republicans To Either Impeach Joe Biden Or Get Out
Why It Matters: Robertson also posted threats against other Democratic figures and prosecutors that have brought cases against former President Donald Trump.
He took aim at New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg who brought criminal charges against Trump for allegedly paying hush money to a porn actor before the 2016 election. In a Truth Social post, Robertson, reportedly wrote, “Heading to New York to fulfill my dream of iradicating [sic] another…two-but political hach [sic] DAs.”
This incident underscores the escalating threats against political figures. In a related context, a Pennsylvania man was indicted last year for sending anthrax death threats to Biden.
Additionally, a recent survey indicated a rise in the number of Americans who believe violence might be necessary to reinstate Donald Trump as president, as reported by Benzinga. Such sentiments and actions highlight the heightened political tensions leading up to the 2024 elections.
Photo Courtesy: Shutterstock.com
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