1 Army Vet Busted SoCal Terror Plot
Federal and local law enforcement officials say they prevented a terror plot in Southern California. Officials say they have arrested 26-year-old Mark Steven Domingo, an Army vet on terrorism charges connected to the domestic terror plot. Apparently, the plot was reportedly aimed at multiple targets in the region, including the Santa Monica Pier, and Los Angeles freeways. He was arrested last Friday after he received what he thought was a live bomb. According to court papers, Domingo was asked if he was intended to get caught. His alleged reply? "Martyrdom, bro." As for what set him off, his radicalization hasn’t been pinpointed, but it’s been described as swift. But it was last month’s attacks on mosques in New Zealand that allegedly but him into planning mode. His first reported target? A white nationalist rally set for this past Saturday. He has been charged with providing and attempting to provide material support to terrorists. Over six weeks of planning, officials say Domingo’s fantasies included a long list of perceived “enemies.” Those he planned to target? White supremacists, Jews, Christians and police officers…even his next-door neighbor. While news of the plot comes just days after a gunman opened fire at a San Diego County synagogue leaving a woman dead, there's no indication the plot and the shooting are related.
2 ISIS Leader First Video Appearance in Five Years
Sure, he’s been reported as dead a number of times, but it looks like ISIS Leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi is very alive…and very well. If the video is authentic, it would be the first appearance from Baghdadi since July of 2014. Appearing in his first video in nearly five years, Baghdadi is seen praising the group he says is responsible for the series of attacks on Sri Lankan churches and hotels. Don’t forget, that ISIS has also claimed responsibility for the attack that left more than 250 people dead. The video published on the terrorist group's media outlet shows Baghdadi seated on a rug with a machine gun next to him. If alive, Baghdadi is one of the most wanted men in the world. The U.S. is offering a reward of up to $25-million for information leading to his location.
3 Deputy AG Rosenstein Submits Resignation Letter
After what can only be described as a “turbulent” tenure (that included a much-talked about appearance with Attorney General Bill Barr recently), Deputy Attorney General Rod Rosenstein has submitted his resignation. As you might recall, Rosenstein oversaw Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into Russian meddling in the 2016 election. In his resignation letter to President Trump, Rosenstein declared that after his time at the Department of Justice, the nation is safer and its elections are more secure. AG Barr also praised Rosenstein. In a statement, he said Rosenstein has served with "dedication and distinction." He also acknowledged that Rosenstein has been someone he's relied on since returning to the Justice Department. Rosenstein's last day is expected to be May 11th.