Article Summary –
A man in North Carolina was arrested for threatening FEMA officials with weapons, amid disinformation linking Democrats and FEMA to election interference in storm aid. Gov. Roy Cooper criticized the harmful narratives, stressing the impact on recovery efforts. The man, William Jacob Parsons, was released on bond.
Rutherford County deputies arrest man with assault rifle threatening FEMA officials amidst disinformation spread
Over recent weeks, figures like Donald Trump and Elon Musk have spread disinformation about Hurricane Helene’s response, baselessly accusing Democrats and FEMA of property seizures in North Carolina to influence elections.
The disinformation has escalated threats against federal officials, as a recent study indicates, including threats that temporarily halted FEMA activities in some counties.
Rutherford County deputies arrested William Jacob Parsons, 44, for threatening FEMA officials with weapons. Parsons, found at a grocery store near a FEMA bus, showed support for Trump and conspiracy theories on social media, The New York Times reported.
‘Using people’s misery to sow chaos’
In a press conference with FEMA’s Deanne Criswell, Gov. Roy Cooper linked these lies to threats and recovery obstruction. Cooper criticized political exploitation of people’s struggles. Lies around Helene have created harmful distrust affecting aid operations.
Gov. Cooper emphasized that disinformation could dissuade people from seeking FEMA aid, while Criswell called the narrative “truly dangerous,” urging an end to threats but affirming FEMA’s commitment to aid.
Released on bond
Parsons, residing near areas plagued by disinformation, was arrested after threats reported at a gas station led deputies to him. Initial fears of militia activity were unfounded, per Rutherford County authorities. Parsons, charged with a misdemeanor, was released on $10,000 bond.
‘These are members of your community’
Online threats, mainly against federal officials, may extend to election officials as voting begins in North Carolina. Karen Brinson Bell of the North Carolina Board of Elections warned that threats to local officials are threats to community members, urging vigilance and respect.
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