Investigation Launched into Roger Stone for Alleged Threats to Democratic Lawmakers
Capitol Police have initiated an investigation into Roger Stone, a former adviser to Donald Trump and a longtime ally of the far right, following the emergence of audio clips allegedly featuring him directing his security team to assassinate key Democratic members of Congress.
The investigation, which is being supported by the FBI, was prompted by the release of a 2020 conversation between Stone and his former security team member, Sal Greco, a former New York Police Department officer. Mediaite shared the recording on its website, in which Stone is heard urging an attack on Representatives Eric Swalwell (D-California) and Jerry Nadler (D-New York), stating, It’s time to do it. It’s either Swalwell or Nadler has to die before the election. They need to get the message.
When contacted for comment, Stone denied the allegations, dismissing the recording as AI manipulation. Greco, on the other hand, offered less resistance to the authenticity of the audio but indicated that he believed readers were uninterested in such old political controversies.
Eric Swalwell, one of the targeted lawmakers, emphasized the importance of conducting the investigation and urged fellow members of Congress to recognize that such behavior was characteristic of Stone and other ardent Trump supporters. Swalwell stressed that the recording, which revealed an alleged assassination plot, should not be dismissed as mere ramblings of a gangster but must be taken seriously by law enforcement and his colleagues.
Roger Stone has a history of controversial behavior, earning himself the moniker of a dirty trickster. In 2019, he was convicted on obstruction charges related to interfering with a congressional investigation into Russia’s interference in the 2016 presidential election. Just before Stone was set to serve his prison sentence, President Trump commuted his sentence in its entirety. Jerry Nadler, the Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, pledged to investigate the circumstances surrounding Trump’s intervention.
The seriousness with which the investigation into Stone’s alleged threats against the Democratic lawmakers is being taken is heightened by the fact that several members of his former security team have been convicted in connection to the violent events that unfolded at the Capitol on January 6, 2021. At least six individuals who had provided security to Stone, also belonging to the far-right militant group the Oath Keepers, were implicated in the attack on the Capitol, according to The New York Times.
Given Stone’s history as a dirty trickster who engages in political attacks and subsequently denies any wrongdoing, his denial of threats against Swalwell and Nadler appears dubious. His ethos of denying involvement despite evidence suggests a pattern that many critics find concerning.
In conclusion, the investigation into Roger Stone’s alleged threats against Democratic lawmakers highlights the need to address the growing trend of threats and violence by Trump’s supporters. It also underscores the significance of holding individuals accountable for their actions, regardless of their political affiliations. The investigation, supported by the FBI, is expected to shed light on the seriousness of these allegations and contribute to ongoing efforts to maintain the integrity of the democratic process.
