The Trump DOJ has not charged Cesar Sayoc with terrorism, but with five other federal crimes that could result in 58 years in federal prison.
Attorney General Jeff Sessions said at a news conference, “I want to remind everyone that the defendant in this case as in every case is innocent until proven guilty. He has been charged today with five federal crimes including interstate transportation of an explosive, illegal mailing of explosives, threats against former presidents and certain other persons, threatening interstate communications and assaulting current and former federal officers. For these charges the defendant faces up to 58 years in prison. These charges may change or expand as the investigation proceeds. This is a law and order administration. We will not tolerate such lawlessness, especially not political violence.”
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Trump DOJ doesn't charge Cesar Sayoc with terrorism. pic.twitter.com/7R1TOLadLd
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— PoliticusUSA (@politicususa) October 26, 2018
Cesar Sayoc has not been charged with terrorism yet
It is clear that Sayoc fits the definition of a domestic terrorist, but yet the DOJ has refused to charge with any crime that uses the term terrorism. The Trump administration is already trying to put a political spin on these crimes by avoiding labeling one of the president’s own supporters as a domestic terrorist.
Sec. 802 of The Patriot Act defines terrorism as:
A person engages in domestic terrorism if they do an act “dangerous to human life” that is a violation of the criminal laws of a state or the United States, if the act appears to be intended to: (i) intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination or kidnapping. Additionally, the acts have to occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States and if they do not, may be regarded as international terrorism.
Sayoc’s actions fit the criteria for a terrorism charge, and the only reason one can think of that he hasn’t been charged with terrorism is that he is a male supporter of Donald Trump. Hopefully, the DOJ will not cave to political pressure and charge Cesar Sayoc with terrorism.
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Jason is the managing editor. He is also a White House Press Pool and a Congressional correspondent for PoliticusUSA. Jason has a Bachelor’s Degree in Political Science. His graduate work focused on public policy, with a specialization in social reform movements.
Awards and Professional Memberships
Member of the Society of Professional Journalists and The American Political Science Association
