Cybertruck explosion: who radicalized Matthew Livelsberger?

IN letters reportedly found on Livelsberger’s phoneexpressed his support for President-elect Donald Trump, Elon Musk and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Authorities said Livelsberger claimed his actions in Las Vegas were not terrorism but a “wake-up call” to the nation.

Livelsberger, who was an active member of the Green Beret Army, called on “military and veterans” to “move to D.C. from now on” and for “militias (to) facilitate and enhance this activity” by seizing “every major road along solar-powered buildings and campus of buildings powered by hundreds of thousands” and blocking highways. “Hold until cleansing is complete.”

This “purge,” Livelsberger wrote, was intended to “drive Democrats out of the federal government and military by any means necessary.” And if “peaceful means” fail, participants should “be prepared to fight,” he said. “(Democrats) all must go and there must be a hard reset for our country to avoid collapse.”

Livelsberger also reportedly called DEI – diversity, equity and inclusion – a “cancer”; expressed thanks for “we rejected a DEI candidate,” which was a racist reference to Vice President Kamala Harris; touted Trump as the “real president”; and said, “Manliness is good and men must be leaders.”

Statements like these about violence, DEI, and Democrats being portrayed as a threat that needs to be removed could be ripped from any far-right media outlet. It’s the corrosive language of radicalization, available on almost every streaming platform – or online a significant number of Republican legislators.

However, this side of Livelsberger has been largely downplayed. Instead, media and law enforcement officials focused on his struggles with post-traumatic stress disorder related to his military service, which he alluded to indirectly in one of his notes.

At a press conference last week, FBI Special Agent in Charge Spencer Evans said of the Livelsberger case: “While this incident is more public and more sensational than usual, it ultimately appears to be a tragic case of suicide involving a highly decorated combat veteran who is struggling with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and other problems.

Livelsberger reportedly sought and received help for his illness. But while the investigation is ongoing, Evans’ words sounded like closing the door on other reasons why Livelsberger developed a mindset that took him to the Trump hotel in a Musk-made truck with weapons and a trunk full of explosives.

The fact that Livelsberger’s extreme stunt didn’t kill anyone is a pity. But it should also be a wake-up call, although not the one he intended. From El Paso to Pittsburgh to Buffalo, acts of domestic terrorism continue to occur a much greater threat than foreign terrorism.

Overall, Jabbar’s attack was an act of homegrown terrorism, even though he pledged allegiance to ISIS. But there’s a lot more about him has been revealedincluding his failed marriages and businesses and trips to Egypt and Canada. Authorities also released video of Jabbar’s visits to New Orleans before the attack, where he wore smart glasses with a built-in camera to better understand the streets, which he later turned into scenes of carnage and horror.

Livelsberger’s steps towards radicalization remain a blank slate. Although his case highlighted the need to improve mental health services for military veterans and active-duty service members, equal attention should be given to addressing the far-right extremism he defended.

Unfortunately, this is unlikely. In less than two weeks, the man who, the last time he was president, incited one of the most heinous acts of domestic terrorism in this country – the white supremacist insurrection at the United States Capitol on January 6, 2021 – and hails its participants as “patriots”, will take the oath of office again as president.

Renée Graham is a columnist for the Globe. She can be reached at [email protected]. Follow her @reneeygraham.