No evidence ‘deep state’ behind explosive packages


Explosive devices
An officer keeps watch in front of the Time Warner Building, where NYPD personnel removed an explosive device Wednesday, Oct. 24, 2018, in New York. (AP Photo/Kevin Hagen)

No known arrests have been made in connection with a wave of explosive devices mailed in recent days to prominent Democrats and critics of the Trump administration, and federal law enforcement agencies have not disclosed a motive.

But that didn’t stop conspiracy-minded pundits like Alex Jones of InfoWars from claiming the suspicious packages were a politically-motivated plot to derail President Donald Trump ahead of the midterm elections.

“Confirmed: Deep state launching false flag against MSM/Dems to blame Trump & pro-America forces,” reads a post on InfoWars. “Suspicious packages sent to top Democrats and leftist media are a setup to blame on pro-Trump Americans ahead of the crucial 2018 midterms.”

There is simply no evidence to support this claim.

Baseless claim

A nationwide manhunt is underway to find the person or persons responsible for sending envelopes containing explosive materials to the following recipients:

The outward appearance of the envelopes and the contents of the explosive devices are similar, according to law enforcement. None of the devices detonated.

The identity of the perpetrator and their motive is not known, and a spokesman for the FBI said the bureau has no comment.

Despite an absence of evidence, Jones of InfoWars laid the blame on the so-called “deep state,” a supposed cabal of anti-Trump government bureaucrats, who loom large in the minds of conspiracy theorists.

We asked InfoWars for evidence, and they did not respond to our request.

We rate this claim False.

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False

Says explosive devices mailed to prominent Democrats and Trump critics confirm the “deep state (is) launching false flag against (mainstream media)/Dems to blame Trump & pro-America forces.”
in a post
Wednesday, October 24, 2018

By
John Kruzel
Staff Writer
October 25, 2018

Truth-o-meter Ruling

False

Statement

Says explosive devices mailed to prominent Democrats and Trump critics confirm the "deep state (is) launching false flag against (mainstream media)/Dems to blame Trump & pro-America forces."

Context

in a blog post

Speaker/Target

Speaker: Alex Jones

Statement Date

October 24, 2018
Our Sources

InfoWars, "Global alert! Confirmed: deep state launching false flag against MSM/Dems to blame Trump & pro-America forces," Oct. 24, 2018

New York Times, "Bombs Sent to Biden and Robert De Niro, Latest in Wave of Explosives Sent to Trump Critics," Oct. 25, 2018

Translations

Language: en

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