Fact Check: Cesar Sayoc, a Trump supporter, mailed 16 pipe bombs to people targeted in Trump's tweets in 2018, although nobody died due to his lack of skill in making bombs.

Fact Check: "Cesar Sayoc, a Trump supporter, mailed 16 pipe bombs to people targeted in Trump's tweets in 2018, although nobody died due to his lack of skill in making bombs."

What We Know

Cesar Sayoc, a supporter of then-President Donald Trump, was arrested in October 2018 for mailing 16 improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to various targets, including prominent Democrats and critics of Trump. According to the U.S. Department of Justice, Sayoc pled guilty to 65 felony counts related to these actions, which were classified as acts of domestic terrorism. The intended victims included former President Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and CNN, among others (source-1).

The devices were designed to function as weapons, packed with explosive material and shrapnel intended to cause injury. Fortunately, none of the devices detonated, and no one was harmed, which has been attributed to Sayoc's lack of skill in constructing the bombs (source-2). The FBI recovered all 16 packages, and Sayoc was arrested shortly after the first device was discovered (source-4).

Analysis

The claim that Sayoc mailed 16 pipe bombs to individuals targeted in Trump's tweets is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The U.S. Department of Justice confirmed that Sayoc intended to use these devices to harm his targets, which aligns with the assertion that he was motivated by political animosity towards those he viewed as opponents of Trump (source-1). Reports from NPR and other news outlets further corroborate that Sayoc had a list of over 100 potential targets, indicating a premeditated effort to intimidate and instill fear among political adversaries (source-3).

The assertion that nobody died due to Sayoc's lack of skill in making bombs is also supported by the fact that the devices did not detonate. Sayoc's plea agreement and subsequent sentencing highlighted the dangerous nature of his actions while acknowledging the fortunate outcome that no injuries occurred (source-4).

While the sources used in this analysis are credible, it is important to note that the political context surrounding Sayoc's actions may introduce bias in interpretations of his motivations. However, the factual elements of the case—his actions, the targets, and the outcomes—are well-documented and supported by law enforcement statements and court records.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Cesar Sayoc, a Trump supporter, mailed 16 pipe bombs to individuals targeted in Trump's tweets in 2018, and that nobody died due to his lack of skill in making bombs, is accurate. Sayoc's actions were confirmed by multiple credible sources, including the U.S. Department of Justice, and the outcomes of his bombings were indeed fortunate, as no injuries occurred.

Sources

1. Cesar Sayoc Pleads Guilty to 65 Felonies for Mailing 16 Improvised Explosive Devices in Connection with October 2018 Domestic Terrorist Attack
2. Cesar Sayoc Pleads Guilty to 65 Felonies for Mailing 16 Improvised Explosive Devices in Connection with October 2018 Domestic Terrorist Attack
3. Mail Bomb Suspect Reportedly Had List Of More Than 100 Potential Targets
4. Cesar Sayoc Sentenced To 20 Years For Mailing Pipe Bombs To Democrats And Media
5. Feds Charge Cesar Sayoc With Mailing Improvised Bombs To Political Critics
6. 2018 United States mail bombing attempts
7. Man in Florida arrested, charged in connection with mail bombings
8. Cesar Sayoc, Who Mailed Pipe Bombs to Trump Critics, Is Sentenced