On Thursday, right-wing terrorist Ray Roseberry parked his truck outside the Library of Congress—less than a quarter mile from the Supreme Court and the U.S. Capitol. He called the police then began streaming on Facebook Live, announcing that his truck was filled with enough explosives to decimate two and a half city blocks.
Roseberry demanded to speak to President Joe Biden while ranting about his healthcare and about the Biden administration's botched withdrawal of American troops from Afghanistan.
Roseberry's social media showed support for former President Donald Trump, peppered with diatribes about transgender people serving in the U.S. Military, nonexistent election fraud, and other conservative stances.
Thankfully, negotiators were able to get Roseberry to surrender before anyone was harmed, but the right wing's embrace of extremism and nationalism that prompted the incident remains a threat.
Ironically enough, that ideology was further embraced in a statement from far-right Congressman Mo Brooks of Alabama in a statement meant to condemn Roseberry's actions.
My statement on the Capitol bomb threat:pic.twitter.com/yCuTNTbJyP— Mo Brooks (@Mo Brooks) 1629397329
Brooks wrote, in part:
"Sadly, violence and threats of violence targeting America's political institutions are far too common. Although this terrorist's motivation is not yet publicly known, and generally speaking, I understand citizenry anger at dictatorial Socialism and its threat to liberty, freedom and the very fabric of American society."
The Congressman claimed he could understand why Roseberry threatened to blow up government buildings in D.C.—and that's probably true.
Brooks was a substantial promoter of former President Donald Trump's 2020 election lies and the siege of the U.S. Capitol that spurred from them. Not only was Brooks the first lawmaker who vowed to reject electoral votes of swing states Trump lost, but Brooks spoke to a crowd of Trump supporters at the Save America rally just blocks away from the Capitol on the morning of the riots.
In that speech, he said:
"Today is the day American patriots start taking down names and kicking ass."
Sadly, people weren't surprised to see him express empathy for the latest act of conservative violence.
Tell us you stand with the terrorist without telling us you stand with the terrorist.https://twitter.com/repmobrooks/status/1428422048368533515\u00a0\u2026— Rep. Eric Swalwell (@Rep. Eric Swalwell) 1629403307
Disgusting statement from the Republican congressman who also spoke at the Jan. 6 rally before the Capitol riot.\n\nMo Brooks says, regarding the man who claimed to have a bomb near the Library of Congress, that he "understand[s] citizenry anger directed at dictatorial Socialism."https://twitter.com/repmobrooks/status/1428422048368533515\u00a0\u2026— Kyle Griffin (@Kyle Griffin) 1629402318
Mo, let me tell you from experience. Car bombs don\u2019t discriminate between Democrats and Republicans. Any type of encouragement puts us all in danger.https://twitter.com/repmobrooks/status/1428422048368533515\u00a0\u2026— Ruben Gallego (@Ruben Gallego) 1629399017
when black athletes symbolically kneel during the anthem against police brutality it's unacceptable, but when a white dude wants to blow up DC, it's actually a reasonable frustration against socialism for some reason.https://twitter.com/RepMoBrooks/status/1428422048368533515\u00a0\u2026— hasanabi (@hasanabi) 1629399497
Mo, as your former colleague, I\u2019m trying to be as respectful as I can, but this statement is dangerous & irresponsible. We know the bomber\u2019s motivation. Don\u2019t equivocate. Condemn, in no uncertain terms, what this man did. And tell him & all the others Joe Biden won fair & square.https://twitter.com/repmobrooks/status/1428422048368533515\u00a0\u2026— Joe Walsh (@Joe Walsh) 1629399887
If a Democrat had said that they condemn the guy who shot up the congressional baseball game but understood his frustration with fascism the party would have run him out of town in 7 seconds. There is basically no space between the fringe-right and the mainstream GOP.https://twitter.com/repmobrooks/status/1428422048368533515\u00a0\u2026— Joshua Holland (@Joshua Holland) 1629401457
They're calling for accountability for what they claim is Brooks' repeated endorsement of violent uprisings.
Everyone needs to understand that this\u2014below\u2014is what happens when you don't arrest or even investigate insurrectionists. The FBI has sent Mo Brooks a very clear message, which is that he is free to foment armed rebellion as much as he likes, and he will never face accountability.https://twitter.com/RepMoBrooks/status/1428422048368533515\u00a0\u2026— Seth Abramson (@Seth Abramson) 1629404196
Have you ever tried not encouraging terrorists?https://twitter.com/RepMoBrooks/status/1428422048368533515\u00a0\u2026— Schooley (@Schooley) 1629398812
This insurrection leader is stoking the flames again. How is an elected member of congress allowed to encourage violence against the government and not suffer any consequences? \n\nHow long until more republicans join him?https://twitter.com/RepMoBrooks/status/1428422048368533515\u00a0\u2026— JoanneM (@JoanneM) 1629400275
Brooks is currently facing a lawsuit from his Democratic colleague, Congressman Eric Swalwell of California, for his role in inciting the insurrection.
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