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."
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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 evidence ‘deep state’ behind explosive packages
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:
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Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama
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Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton
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Former Vice President Joe Biden
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Former Attorney General Eric Holder
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Former CIA Director John Brennan
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Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, D-Florida
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Rep. Maxine Waters, D-California
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Billionaire activist George Soros
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Actor Robert De Niro
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Media network CNN
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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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
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No evidence ‘deep state’ behind explosive packages
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