Christopher Paul Hasson
Christopher Paul Hasson | |
---|---|
Born | c. 1969 |
Nationality | American |
Criminal penalty | 160 months' imprisonment[1] |
Children | 2 |
Christopher Paul Hasson (born c. 1969) is a former
Career
Hasson was an F/A-18 aircraft mechanic in the
2019 plot
Beliefs, ideology, and 2019 plot
Hasson identifies as a
Hasson attempted to discover where Democratic politicians and media figures lived and made
Hasson created a "hit list" spreadsheet naming various journalists,
In addition to being a self-proclaimed
Investigation and arrest
Hasson was arrested on February 15, 2019, in the parking garage of the Coast Guard Headquarters in Washington.[20] Federal investigators executed search warrants at Hasson's apartment and office in Silver Spring, Maryland.[21]
Hasson "conducted online searches and made thousands of visits to
Guilty plea and sentencing
Federal prosecutors wrote that Hasson intended "to murder innocent civilians on a scale rarely seen in this country" and described him as "a domestic terrorist, bent on committing acts dangerous to human life."[23][24]
On February 27, 2019, Hasson was indicted by a
Hasson initially pleaded not guilty, but in October 2019 entered a guilty plea to three charges: possession of tramadol without a prescription and illegal possession of firearms and the firearm silencers. (Under US federal law, a person who is a "unlawful user and addict of a controlled substance" is prohibited from owning firearms).[2] Hasson admitted that, from 2016 to 2019, he ordered at least 4,650 tramadol pills over the Internet, and admitted that he knowingly possessed firearm silencers that "were not registered in the National Firearms Registration and Transfer Record, and that they did not have serial numbers, as required by law."[2]
In court filings in sentencing, prosecutors wrote that "If not for the diligent efforts of multiple federal law enforcement agencies, we now would be counting the bodies of the defendant's victims instead of years of the defendant's prison time."
Reactions
President Donald Trump reacted to the attempted attack by Hasson stating "I think it's a shame" and that it was "a very sad thing".[31]
Joe Scarborough, one of the people targeted in Hasson's list, accused Trump of inspiring Hasson and stated: "This is pretty simple. It's all on the president's shoulders. It's all the president's fault."[32]
Former Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele accused Trump of silence on Hasson, stating "I guess I kind of at this point have reached the 'my glass is no longer half-full,' it's just overflowing with all the crazy that comes out of Trump. Why would we be surprised that a self-proclaimed nationalist would not speak out against a self-proclaimed white nationalist? Why are we acting like this is a space that Donald Trump is gonna go in on behalf of the American ideal? No, he's not. ... These are his people, alright? And he's not gonna thank law enforcement because he's probably not happy about what law enforcement did."[33]
Vegas Tenold, author of the book
Hasson's rights to Coast Guard benefits and retirement pay were terminated following his conviction, and Coast Guard Commandant Karl L. Schultz said, "Any semblance of hate, bigotry or advocacy of violence has no place in our Coast Guard. This includes involvement with white supremacist or extremist groups of any type."[1]
Personal life
Hasson is married.[35] He lived in Silver Spring, Maryland.[2]
See also
- Knoxville Unitarian Universalist church shooting (2008), a shooting that targeted liberals (specifically Democrats)
- List of unsuccessful terrorist plots in the United States post-9/11
- October 2018 United States mail bombing attempts, a similar incident involving the targeting of Democrats
- Right-wing terrorism
Notes
- ^ Hasson's list named Democratic senators Richard Blumenthal,[5] Cory Booker,[13] Kirsten Gillibrand, Tim Kaine,[14] Kamala Harris,[13] Chuck Schumer,[15] and Elizabeth Warren;[16] House Speaker Nancy Pelosi;[15] and US Representatives Sheila Jackson Lee,[14] Ilhan Omar,[14] Beto O'Rourke,[16] Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez,[5] and Maxine Waters;[5] commentators and journalists, including Chris Cuomo,[14] Chris Hayes,[15] Van Jones,[14] Don Lemon,[14] Ari Melber,[14] and Joe Scarborough;[16] Angela Davis;[11] John Podesta,[16] and the organizations Democratic Socialists of America and Social Democrats, USA.[11]
References
- ^ a b c Michael Levenson, Former Coast Guard Lieutenant Is Sentenced to 13 Years in Prison on Gun and Drug Charges Archived February 2, 2020, at the Wayback Machine, New York Times (January 31, 2020).
- ^ a b c d e f g h Hauser, Christine (October 3, 2019). "Coast Guard Officer Called a 'Domestic Terrorist' Pleads Guilty to Gun and Drug Charges". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 5, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ^ a b c Duggan, Paul (January 31, 2020). "Coast Guard Lt. Christopher Hasson sentenced to more than 13 years in alleged terror plot". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on January 31, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2020.
- ^ Bui, Lynh; Lamothe, Dan; Miller, Michael E. (February 21, 2019). "Coast Guard lieutenant ordered held 14 days while prosecutors weigh terror charges". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 23, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2019 – via The Mercury News.
- ^ a b c d Philips, Dave (February 20, 2019). "Coast Guard Officer Plotted to Kill Democrats and Journalists, Prosecutors Say". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 23, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
- ^ Kime, Patricia (August 22, 2019). "Trial Date Set for Coast Guard Officer Who Allegedly Maintained 'Hit List'". Military.com. Archived from the original on August 27, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
- ^ a b Hannon, Elliot (February 20, 2019). "White Supremacist Coast Guard Lieutenant Was Allegedly Plotting Mass Terrorist Attack". Slate. Archived from the original on September 3, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
- ^ McCarthy, Tom (February 21, 2019). "Neo-Nazi coast guard officer accused of domestic terror plot denied bail". The Guardian. Archived from the original on February 22, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
- ^ a b Romo, Vanessa (February 20, 2019). "Arrested Coast Guard Officer Allegedly Planned Attack 'On A Scale Rarely Seen'". NPR. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
- ^ Bui, Lynh (February 20, 2019). "'I am dreaming of a way to kill almost every last person on earth': A self-proclaimed white nationalist planned a mass terrorist, says the government". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 20, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
- ^ a b c "Motion for Detention Pending Trial". United States v. Hasson. United States District Court for the District of Maryland. February 19, 2019. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
- ^ Ziezulewicz, Geoff (February 20, 2019). "Prosecutors: Coast Guard officer plotted to 'murder innocent civilians'". Navy Times. Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. Retrieved October 8, 2019.
- ^ a b Ramirez, Mark (February 20, 2019). "Beto O'Rourke among names on 'hit list' of self-avowed white supremacist arrested in Maryland". The Dallas Morning News. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e f g Ackerman, Spencer (February 20, 2019). "Coast Guard Officer Accused of Racist Mass-Murder Plot, Kept 'Hit List' of Democrats and MSNBC Hosts". The Daily Beast. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
- ^ a b c "US Coast Guard officer hoped to 'kill every person on the earth'". BBC. February 21, 2019. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
- ^ a b c d e Choi, Matthew (February 2, 2019). "Coast Guard officer accused of plotting to kill Democrats, journalists". Politico. Archived from the original on July 25, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
- ^ Biuh, Lynn; Lamothe, Don; Miller, Michael E. (February 21, 2019). "Coast Guard lieutenant used work computers in alleged planning of widespread domestic terrorist attack, prosecutors say". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 22, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
- ^ Barrouquere, Brett (February 21, 2019). "Coast Guard Lt. Christopher Hasson Wrote to Notorious Neo-Nazi Harold Covington". Hatewatch. Southern Poverty Law Center. Archived from the original on February 22, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
- ^ Cole, Devan; Mallonee, Mary Kay (April 24, 2019). "Coast Guard officer accused of terror attack plot allegedly searched internet for addresses of Supreme Court Justices and best gun to kill African-Americans". CNN. Archived from the original on April 25, 2019. Retrieved April 27, 2019.
- ^ Chamberlain, Samuel (April 26, 2019). "Coast Guard lieutenant accused as 'domestic terrorist' shouldn't be held before trial, judge says". Fox News. Archived from the original on April 26, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
- ^ a b Bui, Lynh (February 27, 2019). "Coast Guard officer accused of plotting terrorist attack charged with illegally possessing silencers". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on April 26, 2019. Retrieved April 26, 2019.
- ^ Dilanian, Ken; Williams, Pete (February 20, 2019). "Coast Guard officer wanted to kill Democrats, TV hosts, say prosecutors". NBC News. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 20, 2019.
- ^ Becket, Stefan (February 21, 2019). "Chris Hasson, U.S. Coast Guard arrested on gun charges had hit list of prominent Democrats, feds say". CBS News. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
- ^ Stewart, Emily (February 21, 2019). "A Coast Guard officer's arrest is the latest example of the rising problem of right-wing terrorism in America". Vox Media. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 21, 2019.
- ^ "White Supremacist Coast Guard Officer Indicted, Was Plotting to Kill 'Almost Every Last Person on Earth' Prosecutors Say". KTLA. February 27, 2019. Archived from the original on February 28, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
- ^ Kunzelman, Michael (February 27, 2019). "Coast Guard Officer accused of drafting hit list is indicted". WLOS (ABC). Associated Press. Archived from the original on February 28, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
- ^ Miller, Jayne (February 27, 2019). "Coast Guard Lt. Christopher Hasson indicted on more charges". WBAL-TV. Archived from the original on February 28, 2019. Retrieved February 28, 2019.
- ^ Bui, Lynh (May 13, 2019). "Coast Guard officer accused of plotting terrorist attack to remain jailed, judge says". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on May 17, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2019.
- ^ Kunzeman, Michael (February 11, 2020). "Coast Guard officer appeals prison sentence". Navy Times. Archived from the original on October 27, 2023. Retrieved February 12, 2020.
- ^ "Sentence upheld for Coast Guard officer tied to terror plot". WTOP-FM. Associated Press. February 22, 2022. Archived from the original on February 22, 2022. Retrieved February 22, 2022.
- ^ Frazin, Rachael (February 22, 2019). "Trump responds to Coast Guard official accused of terror plot: 'It's a shame'". The Hill. Archived from the original on February 23, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
- ^ Rosza, Matthew (February 21, 2019). ""It's all the president's fault": Joe Scarborough blames Trump for Coast Guard officer's terror plot". Salon. Archived from the original on February 21, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
- ^ Wulfsohn, Joseph A. (February 22, 2019). "Former RNC chair Michael Steele: Trump 'isn't happy' with law enforcement for foiling terror plot against Dems". Fox News. Archived from the original on February 23, 2019. Retrieved February 22, 2019.
- ^ "The neo-Nazi plot against America is much bigger than we realize". The Guardian. March 12, 2019. Archived from the original on June 30, 2020. Retrieved July 5, 2020.
- ^ "Court stays release of Coast Guard officer accused of drafting hit list". CBS News. Associated Press. May 7, 2019. Archived from the original on October 8, 2019. Retrieved October 8, 2019.