United States of intimidation? One in six public officials has gotten a threat at work

The FBI arrested a Tennessee man prosecutors say was headed to the border with a sniper rifle and explosives to join a militia, but the man’s son says he’s all talk.  Meanwhile, a new study shows threats against local elected officials continue to spike as the country moves towards a contentious presidential election. And a new report says an audio recording of a Navy SEAL – previously under investigation for extremist ties – captures him using a Proud Boys slogan. 

It’s the week in extremism.

Arrest made after FBI investigation into border extremism

The FBI arrested Paul Faye of Tennessee this week on an illegal gun charge after an extensive undercover investigation into militia activity at the U.S.-Mexico border. The arrest, reported first by the newsletter Courtwatch, came as groups describing themselves as “God’s Army” traveled to the border amid a legal standoff between Texas Gov. Greg Abbott and the White House over the state’s installation of border fencing at the small town of Eagle Pass.

• Faye was arrested on suspicion of possessing an unlicensed firearm suppressor, a charge that carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison and a $10,000 fine.
• As Courtwatch reports, the court documents in the case show the FBI was involved in an undercover investigation of Faye and others that lasted almost a year. The arrest came after federal agents also arrested and indicted another Tennessee man last year, who was accused of plotting to go “to war” with the Border Patrol.
• According to court documents, Faye “discussed plans for traveling to the border and how he planned to transport explosive devices to the border.”

NBC News reported Wednesday Faye’s son called the federal case “ridiculous”: “They think my dad is a terrorist,” Joseph Faye, 30, told NBC. “He’s not a terrorist. He talks a big game, but it’s all lies.”

Survey: Threats against local political officials still widespread

A new report from Princeton University’s Bridging Divides Initiative found that one in six local public officials reported receiving threats at work, while more than half reported being insulted and over a third reported harassment.

• Experiences of hostility while serving leads to a significant decrease in the willingness to run for public office again, the survey found. 
• Women and minority officials received threats and harassment at a higher rate than average, the survey found, with one-in four female or minority officials experiencing hostility.

As Paste BN has reported, threats against public officials and other high-profile workers have been on the rise. Researchers found the rate of threat charges hit a new record last year. 

Report: Navy SEAL investigated for extremism used Proud Boy slogan

A Navy SEAL based in San Diego was cleared in an investigation into his alleged ties to extremism. But a new report says he responded to the news by using a slogan tied to the Proud Boys extremist group.

• After learning the investigation concluded his prior anti-LGBTQ+ activities didn’t violate Pentagon rules against extremist activities, Chief Special Warfare Operator Bryce Henson posted audio this week to the secure messaging app Telegram, San Diego public radio  station KPBS reported Wednesday. 
• According to what KPBS said was a voice memo recorded by Henson, he concluded his message with the phrase “Proud of your boy,” a well-known Proud Boy slogan, the station reports. 
• Henson, who according to local media reports spent more than a year speaking to school boards against so-called “Critical Race Theory” and LGBTQ+ student rights, was investigated last year by the Naval Special Warfare Center on Coronado Island, according to the radio station. The investigation concluded last month, KPBS reported, with no action taken against Henson for the alleged extremism connections.
• Henson has been photographed with members of the Proud Boys and alongside a man with a neo-Nazi tattoo. 
• KPBS said a Navy official reported the service was aware of Henson’s latest outburst on Telegram.

As Paste BN reported throughout last year, the military’s once-vaunted efforts to stamp out extremism in the ranks appear to have largely fallen by the wayside. 

Statistic of the week: 21

That’s how many death, bomb and other threats followed against schools and other institutions after the far-right influencer Libs of Tik Tok posted about them, according to a report this week from NBC News.

Paste BN published an investigation in November confirming more than two dozen threats made against schools, hospitals and other organizations following Libs of TikTok posts.