“A powerful U.S. senator has launched an investigation into whether the FBI knew about a planned attack by ISIS-inspired terrorists at an anti-Muslim cartoon show in the Dallas area and did nothing to stop it — and also misled the lawmaker about circumstances of the 2015 attack.”
The “cartoon show” was no more “anti-Muslim” than foes of the Nazis were anti-German. I was, along with Pamela Geller, a co-organizer of the event and spoke at it, and was present when the jihadis attacked. We exhibited art depicting images of Muhammad from throughout Islamic history, many of them created by Muslims themselves. We also awarded a winner (Bosch Fawstin) of a contest for the best contemporary cartoon of Muhammad. The point was not to mock Muhammad or Islam out of some gratuitous unkindness, but to stand, in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo jihad massacre, for the freedom of speech against violent intimidation, so as to show that at least some in the West would not be intimidated into silence by threats of death. Few among establishment conservatives grasped the key free speech point that was being made.
“According to the criminal complaint, Hendricks directed the FBI informant to join them there, and allegedly said: ‘If you see that pig (meaning the organizer of the contest) make your ‘voice’ heard against her.'”
Why is Fox being so fastidiously careful not to mention Pamela Geller’s name? I am used to my role as co-organizer and co-sponsor of this event being entirely ignored, and it being presented in the media as “Pamela Geller’s ‘Draw the Prophet’ event” (we never used the phrase “Draw the Prophet,” either), but why is Fox avoiding mentioning her as well? Do they think their report about Johnson’s call for an inquiry will be overshadowed by her “controversial” reputation?
“’It is concerning that when I wrote to the FBI and Department of Justice, they never told me about the fact that they had some FBI asset, whether it was an agent or informant, tailing Soofi and Simpson,’ said Johnson. ‘Why didn’t they intervene? As a member of the Senate oversight committee, I think these agencies should be honest when we actually ask them the questions. But it begs the question, what was the FBI doing in Garland, and why wasn’t the agency direct with me when we first started writing letters about this back in 2015?’…The informant was there, parked behind Simpson and Soofi, when they opened fire….’All I know is we don’t have the straight story from the FBI,’ Johnson said. ‘We are just so fortunate that local law enforcement was able to take care of the situation to prevent another mass attack. This was a real tragedy averted.’”
Johnson is right. Clearly the FBI knew that the jihadis were going to strike at our event, and not only did they not send a team to stop them (and “local law enforcement” was only on hand because we hired them, at considerable expense), but the FBI informant was actively encouraging them to strike. It can only be concluded, as I have charged before, that the FBI wanted Geller and me dead, perhaps as an object lesson for those who dared to dissent from Barack Obama’s dictum that “the future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam.” We represented the group of people the Obama administration hated most, and that the Leftist political and media establishment still hates most: putative “right-wingers” who dare stand up against jihad terror and Sharia supremacy. They were going to make an example of us. It just didn’t work out the way they had planned.
“Senate leader investigating possible FBI deception about Texas terror attack,” by Malia Zimmerman and William Lajeunesse, Fox News, April 20, 2017:
A powerful U.S. senator has launched an investigation into whether the FBI knew about a planned attack by ISIS-inspired terrorists at an anti-Muslim cartoon show in the Dallas area and did nothing to stop it — and also misled the lawmaker about circumstances of the 2015 attack.
Sen. Ron Johnson, R-Wisc., chairman of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee, said he learned from a recent national media report that the FBI was tailing the two terrorists, Elton Simpson, 31, and Nadir Soofi, 34, and an agent was just steps away when the pair jumped from their car and began shooting at police guarding the “Draw Mohammad” event at the Curtis Culwell Center in the Dallas suburb of Garland, Texas. The terrorists, who pledged allegiance to ISIS, struck Bruce Joiner, an unarmed security guard, in the leg, before snipers killed them. The attack was significant because it was the first that the Islamic State took credit for on U.S. soil. Soofi and Simpson had been in touch with an ISIS recruiter in Somalia.
“It is concerning that when I wrote to the FBI and Department of Justice, they never told me about the fact that they had some FBI asset, whether it was an agent or informant, tailing Soofi and Simpson,” said Johnson.
“Why didn’t they intervene? As a member of the Senate oversight committee, I think these agencies should be honest when we actually ask them the questions. But it begs the question, what was the FBI doing in Garland, and why wasn’t the agency direct with me when we first started writing letters about this back in 2015?”
Johnson is referring to two individuals who had prior contact with the shooters. One was a paid FBI informant, the other an FBI undercover agent.
Ten days before the attack Simpson hooked up with an FBI undercover informant via the internet, according to an FBI affidavit filed by Agent Shawn Scott Hare in August 2016. The affidavit was filed in a case against Erick Jamal Hendricks, a North Carolina man charged with conspiring to provide material support to the Islamic State.
The affidavit reveals the FBI was aware on May 2, the day before the attack, that Soofi and Simpson were headed to Garland to attend the Draw the Prophet Muhammad Event.
According to the criminal complaint, Hendricks directed the FBI informant to join them there, and allegedly said: “If you see that pig (meaning the organizer of the contest) make your ‘voice’ heard against her.”
Hendricks also asked him a series of questions related to security at the event, including: “How big is the gathering?” “How many ppl?” “How many police/agents?” “Do you see feds there?’ “Do you see snipers?” and “How many media?”
The informant was there, parked behind Simpson and Soofi, when they opened fire.
Together, Soofi and Simpson had amassed 1,000 rounds of ammunition, six different weapons, plus body armor and were carrying a copy of an Islamic State flag, Johnson said.
“All I know is we don’t have the straight story from the FBI,” Johnson said. “We are just so fortunate that local law enforcement was able to take care of the situation to prevent another mass attack. This was a real tragedy averted.”
On March 26, “60 Minutes” first reported that the FBI had been monitoring Simpson for years, that an FBI agent was tailing the terrorists and took cell phone footage of the shooting from 30 feet away. Police apprehended and handcuffed the FBI undercover agent as he fled the scene.
Johnson said he shouldn’t be learning about the facts of the event two years later, and from the media.
“This is not something that should be revealed on ‘60 Minutes’,” Johnson said. “This should be something that the FBI comes forward and tells the oversight committee.”
Johnson also is questioning the FBI’s hiring of an informant, identified as Dabla Deng, who was paid $132,000 for befriending Simpson while also taping their conversations for more than 1,500 hours. The three men — Deng, Simpson and Soofi — went shooting in the desert several times, according to court records and Simpson had been under investigation and at times surveillance, since 2006.
Despite this information — and that of the FBI informant on scene — a spokesperson for the FBI National Press Office told Fox News, “There was no advance knowledge of a plot to attack the cartoon drawing contest in Garland, Texas.”…
waterdog says
Dallas Morning News – Infamous insulters of Islam, Pam Geler and Robert Spenser were shot during a so-called art show in Garland designed to denigrate the Prophet. In a statement released by the White House, President Obamma said, “I only wish that the FBI had known about this ahead of time and could have prevented this violence. This should however teach all Americans one simple lesson. Just because we have free speech in the United States, it doesn’t mean we should use that freedom to insult a noble, glorious , and peaceful religion embraced by millions of peaceful devotees around the world. In an effort to allay the fears of reprisal against the Dallas Islamic Community I have ordered the FBI and U.S. Marshals to guard every Mosque in Texas. The two alleged perpetrators have been taken into Federal custody and under going a mental health examination to determine if they are responsible for their actions. Susan Rice will be appearing on several Sunday morning talk shows to explain why this wasn’t an act of terrorism.”
somehistory says
That would have been the report from the wh if the police officer had not been doing his job as he was hired to do. In this case, however, all backlashing was prevented.
Don Davenport says
Here is my rendering of Mohammed from behind, bent over praying to his beloved Allah ___( ! )___
Benedict says
Not quite sure DD: Is this the moon-god Allah puppeteering a mooning Muslim?
mortimer says
It is shameful when the top police force (FBI) refuses to defend the rights of citizens.
Furthermore, when politicians INTENTIONALLY MISUNDERSTAND the requirement of defending free speech, then heaven help us all.
Those we elect SHOULD BE ABLE TO GRASP THE PHILOSOPHICAL ARGUMENT that free speech is of no use if it is NOT used. By exercising our free speech, we show the world that we have it.
It is the responsibility of the government to be sure that the INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS guaranteed by the LAW are also guaranteed and protected by LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENTS who are sworn to defend the law.
Myron J. Poltroonian says
“By exercising our free speech, we show the world that we have it.” Bingo!!!!!
JIMJFOX says
There is no critical thought applied to the definition of ‘free speech’. In principle it should be inviolate BUT consider this- to a moslem fanatic, it means the right to carry banners saying “Behead the Infidel” or “Slaughter those who insult the Prophet”- & to carry through on the threats. Supported with police protection, naturally.
Is this to be protected? Inducement to murder for no reason at all? NO, surely not!
Free speech can exist nowhere that blasphemy laws exist & it appears all religions have such, in some form or other; the UK removed this evil from the statutes only in 2008!! Can you believe it?
Conclusion? First priority- to expose blasphemy as the ridiculous, primitive nonsense that it certainly is.
‘Respect’ for religion, for the acceptance of absurd ‘beliefs’ that generate such toxic rubbish as blasphemy is the Achilles heel of human thought. The concept must be expunged.
JIMJFOX says
Abrahamic religions are all three despicable, in some aspects as all who have read the Bible, Torah & certainly the sickness called the Koran must admit.
Buddhism is the alternative- no ‘God’ but veneration for a HUMAN who established the principles of a life lived well with respect and love for nature in all its magnificence.
Don’t think I know much at all about the Buddha but his example must be the best in all of human history; however, Buddhism does not extend to loving your enemy or turning the other cheek, as the resistance to Rohingya atrocities attests. As far as I know.
somehistory says
Not happy to hear of it “from the media.” Very unlike someone else who was fond of saying that he “heard it on the news.”
Benedict says
“the future must not belong to those who slander the prophet of Islam.” –
Why did it not occur to Obama – or to many other people for that sake – that the prophet was pulling the legs of his contemporaries, and now – helped by people like Obama – continues to do so into the future?
Libertyphobic says
DRAIN THE SWAMP
JIMJFOX says
About 20 years too late…
Papa Whiskey says
Just for the record, “snipers” didn’t take out the terrs — a 60-year-old member of the security team did, with a cool hand and a .45 automatic.
common sense says
The fbi could have easily had operatives at the event ahead of time and they didn’t, that says all we need to know about the fbi, Obummer and the left. I hope it can be changed.
Local authorities saved the day literally, thank whatever good powers you believe in.
See: “Trump signs executive order tightening rules on H1B visa program …” it’s all related to making American priorities first. Not off subject at all.
Clinton, Obama, the left and their cohorts of the national press were the first obstacle to overcome and expose. Making America strong against foreigners who under cut our out of work producers here and enhancing the economy is next or part of Trump’s larger plan. Justice Gorsuch is in, tax breaks will come and our border is WAY more secure, illegal crossings down 60% already. Investigations on ‘dirty Rice’ and George Soros foundation (5 million tax dollars went to Soris putrid foundation, see Judicial Watch.org) are happening. It’s been 3 months only, changing the course of America is not a microwave hungry man dinner. Our military loves thier CnC again!
Travel restrictions and the indefinite ban on refugees will go through eventually even though jihadis do come from more places than those 6 countries. It’s a start. ISIS is the most egregious, savage back stabbing lunatic org out there right now, thank our brave men and women of the military and of the other countries involved that keep it contained, the officers at Garland represent that same force. The people of the US represents that same force, and most of us back it whole heartedly.
Infiltration is our biggest National problem and I was glad to see Sec DHS General Kelly outline it this week, scary ad his words are.
Please sign and share: https://aclj.org/national-security/defend-our-national-security
We are taking our country back. We HAVE to believe that or it wont happen, we are so much closer than you might think. To paraphrase Bruce Lee-“never under estimate how powerful you are, your actions are more effective on people than you might at first realize”. Look at what Robert and Pamela have done to expose the enemy of the free world. I’ve gotten more answers here and on AFDI than most anywhere else regarding Islam
Iran’s nuclear deal is on the cutting room floor now as well and I love hearing Trump publicly cut it to pieces, I hope we can get that country in a choke hold again. Sauddi Arabia and Turkey are just going to have wait, we first have major obstacles in all the afforemetioned areas not the least of which is the enemy within our security forces and government. Including the MIC who find it somehow difficult to end the ‘war on terror’ by decisively kicking their ass and finish it. “Islamophobia’ is a company line for them as much as it is the left. In this regard some republicans including Mattis infuriate me the most. They play games while children are enslaved and traded for sex. I still think Trump should call on the people to volunteer to set up safe zones,separating Christians from Muslims and then go into Iraq/Syria and end those barbarians. That idea must not be profitable to some is all I can come up with. Remember Trump wants to end lobbying for 5 years once someone has served and the retires from politics. His plans make perfect sense its what we want to end this ever growing swamp. You can pull the plug but it festers in other areas we dont always think of.
The overall picture is ‘America first’ from Trump who is trying to keep those promises which really are OUR promises for a better America and world. I completely support Donald Trump there are always going to be mistakes or set backs or politics that make it look that way.
This all is interrelated to what happened at Garland and the fbi’s apparent decision to not make a decision because it was regarding Pamela and Robert and Islam.
Isn’t that just like Obama’s 8 years?
NorkA? Please they have no chance.
MAGA!
warren raymond says
This stinks to high heaven. The FBI complicit in a plot to murder a cartoon contest at the behest of Hussein Obama’s infil-traitors. The reality is far worse than any bloody Hollyweird movie could be.
Kepha says
If it is true that the FBI was complicit or that agents’ hands were tied in protecting the event, I sure hope a few bureaucratic heads will roll-starting with Comey’s.
Jesse Nieto says
It was not an “anti-Muslim cartoon show” it was a Freedom of speech art show. when will the fools understand the difference.
Jesse Nieto says
It was not an “anti-Muslim cartoon show” it was a Freedom of speech art show. when will the fools understand the difference. The show was outstanding. I would again to another one…When??
Carolyne says
It certainly was an exercise of our Constitutionally protected freedom of speech. Either use it or lose it.
Carolyne says
In every instant of Muslim’s committing acts of terror of which I am aware, it is later revealed that the FBI had knowledge of the perpetrator prior to his act but did nothing. Boston, San Diego, New York, etc. etc. etc. In this case, they apparently went along with the terrorists for the ride. I believe that the head of the FBI, James Comey, is either not doing his job or is complicit with the terrorists.
Jeanette says
Not doing his job with regard to terrorists would make Comey complicit with them.