Bombing Suspect Charged, but National Nerves Remain Frayed
*By Carlo Versano*
After a week of political finger-pointing and frayed national nerves ahead of a major election, a Florida man is in custody on federal charges that he sent at least 13 live explosive devices to prominent former and current Democratic officials, a news organization, a Hollywood actor, and liberal donors.
The latest device was intercepted in California, en route to Tom Steyer, a Democratic donor who has spent millions advocating for Trump's impeachment.
Federal authorities announced the arrest of Cesar Sayoc, 56, of Aventura, Fla., at the end of a week that began with a crude pipe bomb being discovered in the mailbox of George Soros, a left-leaning philanthropist vilified by the right.
As more bombs were found ー from the leafy suburbs of New York City to sprawling mail sorting facilities in Delaware ー and buildings evacuated, it became clear that a serial bomber was using the U.S. postal service to harm opponents and critics of the president and instill fear in a country wracked by political polarization just under two weeks before a pivotal U.S. election.
"This is a law and order administration," said Attorney General Jeff Sessions, announcing the five counts against Sayoc, which include mailing explosives and making threats against former presidents.
"We will not tolerate such lawlessness," Sessions said. He added that Sayoc "appears to be a partisan."
FBI Director Christopher Wray said investigators were able to pull a fingerprint from one of the two devices mailed to Rep. Maxine Waters (D-CA), which, along with other pieces of DNA, matched Sayoc's DNA from a prior arrest. "Today's arrest doesn't mean we're out of the woods," Wray said, cautioning that more devices may still be undiscovered in the postal system.
Wray made a point of saying that the devices were "not hoax devices" but real explosives. He would not comment on whether any were "functional." It was unclear if Wray was reacting to President Trump, who earlier lamented that the "'Bomb' stuff," using quotations around "bomb," was hurting GOP momentum going into Election Day.
Conspiracy theories have flooded the internet positing that the mail bombs were a "false flag" operation. "False flag" believers, including some high-profile conservatives like Rush Limbaugh and Ann Coulter, have speculated that the mail bombs were sent by a Democratic sympathizer who wanted to villainize Republicans in the eyes of voters going to the polls.
At least one of them, Geraldo Rivera, backed down after hearing the charges against Sayoc on Friday afternoon: "Never mind; outsmarted myself in conjuring false flag operation designed to hurt @realDonaldTrump & #GOP," he wrote in a tweet. "Actual alleged perp 56-year old #CesarSayoc is apparently stereotype most media assumed: a middle-aged, rabid, extreme right winger w a troubled past & long criminal record."
Sayoc was arrested at an Autozone store in the Miami suburb of Plantation, Fla. Cheddar's J.D. Durkin was there and spoke to the manager of a nearby business who witnessed the arrest. Tom Fiore, the president of West Broward Community Management, told Durkin he knew it was tied to the nationwide manhunt when he saw members of the NYPD in Florida.
Erin Blake, a senior political reporter at the Washington Post who has been following the story all week, told Cheddar that "all the evidence seems to be pointing in the right direction." With the threat subsiding, Blake said, this is a good time to figure out "who we are as a country."
Sessions, Wray, and other federal authorities praised the coordinated response and investigation. Trump added his plaudits for law enforcement on Twitter, though Blake said he doubted the events would lead to much of a cooling off period in terms of the heated political rhetoric, adding, "The president has shown that he is not terribly chastened by this whole thing."
U.S. officials spoke to Russian leaders for nearly eight hours earlier this week, in hopes of reducing tensions between Russia and Ukraine. Russia forced the west to the negotiating table by massing 100,000 troops near the Ukrainian border, sparking fears of an invasion, and then submitted a set of demands which the west rejected. Joel Rubin, former Deputy Assistant Secretary of State & President at Washington Strategy Group explains what the rest of the week might look like, and why other European nations may be on the side of the U.S.
Chicago schools opened their doors again following a dispute between the teachers union and the city over as the omicron variant continues to surge, but the safety issues they fought over weren't just limited to the Windy City. Dr. Bayo Curry-Winchell, family medicine and urgent care doctor, joined Cheddar in discussing concerns of parents, teachers, and students as schools try to operate amid COVID and noted what she's been observing as the number of infections among children rises. "I am seeing them contract the illness from so many different aspects," she said. "It could be from a fellow classmate. It could be from a parent. All of those things really play in the effect of transmission as well as contracting the illness."
Sen. John Hickenlooper (D-Colo.) is looking for clarification about a federal standard regarding THC impairment while driving. "I think in terms of marijuana, the fact that it's still a Schedule 1 narcotic — it's treated the same as heroin and cocaine — it means that we can't get standards developed," he said about the lack of cohesive regulations. The lawmaker also explained his previous opposition to cannabis legalization in Colorado when he was governor and why his position changed.
With Martin Luther King Jr. Day fast approaching, Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C. 6th District), the House Majority Whip, talked about the importance of honoring the iconic civil rights activist. "As we consider the life and celebrate the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr., let's think about who and what we are as a country, and whether or not we're going to give up on the ideals of this country or continue to press forward," he said. Clyburn also discussed the push for new voting legislation, the For the People Act and the John Lewis Act, as well as the fate of the Senate filibuster.
One year after the attack on Capitol Hill, America is still deeply divided and politically broken. Zoe Tillman, senior reporter for BuzzFeed News, breaks down President Biden's remarks on January 6, and why the country disagrees on its views over the violent insurrection.
While the pandemic caused financial troubles for many, the unique circumstances of the last two years proved helpful to many Americans. Whether it was the federal government's stimulus checks, expanded unemployment insurance, or general lockdowns, recent data reveals that the covid-19 pandemic helped many reach financial security. Neale Godfrey, Financial Expert and New York Times #1 Best Selling Author joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss.
U.S. markets opened higher despite red-hot inflation data which showed the highest surge in nearly 40 years. Jon Maier, CIO, GlobalX ETFs joined Cheddar's Opening Bell to discuss this historic report.
Meta's request to have a Federal Trade Commission antitrust lawsuit dismissed was rejected by a federal judge. Prosecutors presented enough evidence in their latest filing to go forward with the case accusing the tech giant of operating a social networking monopoly through Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp.
Covid cases have started to spike again across the nation, and this time they seem to be hitting some of our youngest and most vulnerable - school-aged children. School districts across the nation - including the country's largest public school system in New York City- are all grappling with what to do as teachers and students alike continue to miss school in droves.
Katie Honan, reporter for the New York City-based non profit news organization, The City explains how educational leaders across the country are handling covid demands from both teachers and parents alike.
Last week, the Supreme Court began here to hear arguments on two of the President's COVID-19 vaccine mandates. The vaccine or testing requirement for employees of large businesses, as well as the vaccine mandate for health care providers who get funding through either Medicare or Medicaid. The justices in DC will ultimately decide whether or not federal agencies even have the authority to issue these types of mandates. Editor at large of employment at Law 360, Vin Gurrieri, joined Cheddar to discuss more.
