Men charged for plotting to blow up Democratic Party headquarters in California

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2 men indicted for allegedly plotting to blow up Democratic headquarters in Sacramento, California
"I want to blow up a Democrat building bad," one of the men allegedly said.

ByLuke Barr
July 16, 2021, 12:54 PM ET
• 5 min read

2 charged, accused of planning to bomb Democratic headquartersTwo California men, Ian Rogers and Jarrod Copeland, have been charged after allegedly conspiring to blow up the Democratic headquarters in Sacramento, California.Rich Pedroncelli/AP, FILE
The Justice Department on Thursday night unsealed an indictment against two California men who allegedly conspired to blow up Democratic headquarters in Sacramento, California.

Ian Rogers and Jarrod Copeland were allegedly inspired by the unfounded belief that the 2020 election was stolen from former President Donald Trump, the court documents say.


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When investigators searched Rogers' house in January, he allegedly had five pipe bombs, which court documents say were live. They also allegedly seized between 45 and 50 firearms, including at least three fully automatic weapons and thousands of rounds of ammunition.

In text messages obtained by investigators and included in the federal indictment, Rogers and Copeland allegedly laid out their plan to bomb the building.

"I want to blow up a Democrat building bad," Rogers wrote, according to the indictment.

They then discussed their target and Rogers said he was "thinking sac office first target," to which Copeland agreed.

Rich Pedroncelli/AP, FILE
California Democratic Party Chairman John Burton speaks during the dedication of the John L. Burton California Democratic Party Headquarters in Sacramento, Calif., June 16, 2014. Two California men have been charged with plotting to blow up the state Democratic Party's headquarters in Sacramento.
Rich Pedroncelli/AP, FILE

"I agree. Plan attack," Copeland said, according to the court documents.

As the exchange concluded, Rogers allegedly wrote: "Let’s see what happens after the 20th we go to war."


Shortly after Rogers was arrested in January, court documents say that Copeland contacted a militia group that Rogers allegedly belonged to, and the group instructed Copeland to destroy his phone.

Rogers and Copeland were previously charged federally via criminal complaint for allegedly possessing explosive devices and wanting to go after Democrats, but the complaint did not mention a planned attack on the Sacramento Democratic headquarters.

District Court for the Northern District of California
A "White Privilege" card was allegedly found on a search of the suspect's home, as stated in a criminal complaint presented before the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on Jan. 15, 2021.
District Court for the Northern District of California

According to the complaint, investigators found a Three Percenters sticker on Rogers' truck. The FBI has said the Three Percenters is a "radical militia group" with ties to the Capitol siege. Investigators also said they found a "White Privilege Card."

A lawyer for Rogers declined to comment, and Copeland's lawyer could also not be reached.

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"Sad it’s come to this but I’m not going down without a fight," Rogers allegedly texted, adding, "These commies need to be told what’s up."

District Court for the Northern District of California
Prosecutors say this sticker representing the militia group "The Three Percenters" was allegedly found on Ian Rogers truck, as stated in a criminal complaint presented before the United States District Court for the Northern District of California on Jan. 15, 2021.
District Court for the Northern District of California

The special agent who authored the complaint wrote that he believes the messages show an intent to cause violence to prevent now-President Joe Biden from assuming office.

Rogers also discussed plans to attack Twitter and Facebook for banning Trump and possibly California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

He faces additional weapons and explosives charges in Napa County.

"I hope 45 goes to war if he doesn’t I will," Rogers allegedly wrote.

ABC News' Mike Levine contributed to this report.



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This is right out of the Instruction Manual. These are the reincarnated storm troopers that Hitler sent to blow up the Reichstag building.  All it took was a BIG LIE, and convincing the people that he, too, was a victim and only he could fix things.  And what are we hearing from Trump in his little dog and pony political speeches?

Even today there are Germans who admonish, You know, frau, the only mistake Hitler made was to lose the war.

Good thing these folks aren't too bright.

California, the land of fruits and nuts..

And Ben, when you make these posts, edit out all of the garbage in the article that makes these things so hard to read..

Maddog wrote:And Ben, when you make these posts, edit out all of the garbage in the article that makes these things so hard to read..

Sorry, was posting from the shop and couldn't be bothered

Ben Reilly wrote:

Maddog wrote:And Ben, when you make these posts, edit out all of the garbage in the article that makes these things so hard to read..

Sorry, was posting from the shop and couldn't be bothered

It's a bitch on a phone.