Who Is Christopher Paul Hasson? New Details About Coast Guard Officer Accused Of Plotting Domestic Terrorism
It’s a scary time in America.
People stereotypically think terrorists are not American citizens, are from foreign countries, or can be determined by the color of their skin. Even in the president’s very first speech to Congress, he said, “the vast majority of individuals convicted of terrorism and terrorism-related offenses since 9/11 came here from outside of our country.”
But the truth of the matter is that white men — specifically, white supremacist men — have “carried out more violent attacks than any other domestic extremist group over the past 16 years,” according to the FBI and Homeland Security. In fact, FBI Director Christopher Wray said, “...the primary terrorist threat to the homeland today, without question, is homegrown violent extremists. That’s what keeps us up at night — and no doubt many of you, too.”
America clearly has a homegrown terrorism problem. And this is evident by the recent arrest of a now-former U.S. Coast Guard Lieutenant, Christopher Paul Hasson, who was charged on gun and drug charges, and allegedly planned to commit a mass killing.
Though he’s being held without bond, U.S. Magistrate Judge Charles Day is giving the government 14 days to present more serious charges against Hasson; otherwise, he will “entertain a defense motion for release.” Hasson is currently facing a misdemeanor drug charge and a felony weapons possession charge.
But just who is Christopher Paul Hasson? Here are six details about Hasson, including the investigation and what we know so far.
1. He was in the Coast Guard.
He was working at the U.S. Coast Guard headquarters in Washington, D.C., since 2016, and served as an active duty member at the time of his arrest. Before joining the Coast Guard, he was in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1988 to 1993, and joined the Army National Guard afterward.
2. He’s a self-identified white supremacist.
During a raid of Hasson’s home, he allegedly claimed to be a white supremacist and extremist. In a draft email obtained by prosecutors, he allegedly wrote, “I am dreaming of a way to kill almost every last person on the earth.” In another draft email, he allegedly wrote, “We need a white homeland as Europe seems lost.”
Throughout the email, he contemplated the best methods to “cause complete destruction” through a biological attack on the public. “Much blood will have to be spilled to get whitey off the couch... They will die as will the traitors who actively work toward our demise,” he wrote.
Court filings also described him as an angry man who was “seeking answers in neo-fascist and neo-Nazi literature” for decades, and was desperate to make a “lasting impression on this world.”
3. He had a hit list.
During the raid, authorities found a spreadsheet on his computer that was reportedly a hit list. Included on the hit list were Democratic politicians and journalists, including Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Chuck Schumer, Cory Booker, Richard Blumenthal, Kamala Harris, Beto O'Rourke, Nancy Pelosi, Don Lemon, Chris Cuomo, Van Jones, Chris Hayes, Joe Scarborough, and others.
4. He was taking steroids.
According to officials, Hasson had stockpiled steroids and human growth hormone to allegedly “increase his ability to conduct attacks." When authorities searched his apartment, they found indication that he ordered “at least 4,200 Tramadol 100 mg pills” since 2016. They also found “at least 100 pills of the synthetic opioid and a locked container, filled with more than 30 bottles labeled as human growth hormone.”
5. He stockpiled ammunition.
Authorities found 15 guns and more than 1,000 rounds of ammunition. He had been amassing firearms since 2017 and according to government documents, had been on a “weapons buying spree.” All the weapons and ammunition were confiscated.
6. Another terrorist inspired him.
Hasson allegedly looked for instruction through a manifesto written by Anders Breivik, an anti-Muslim, far-right nationalist who carried out the 2011 Norway attacks in which he killed 77 people. Hasson wished to use Breivik’s methods to “hone his list of potential victims, conducting Internet searches for ‘most liberal senators,’ ‘where do most senators live in DC’ and ‘are Supreme Court justices protected.’"
According to authorities, the manifesto also had instructions for "taking narcotics in order to increase his ability to conduct attacks," which may explain his drug use.
Samantha Maffucci is an associate editor for YourTango who focuses on writing trending news and entertainment pieces. In her free time, you can find her obsessing about cats, wine, and all things Vanderpump Rules.