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A federal court convicted a former U.S. Navy SEAL last week after prosecutors showed he intended to use explosives to intimidate or harm law enforcement officers at a political protest.
The defendant, Gregory Vandenberg, 49, now faces up to ten years in prison. He was found guilty of transporting explosives with intent to kill, injure, or intimidate and of attempting to bring prohibited fireworks into California.
Antisemitism as Driving Force
Prosecutors tied Vandenberg’s actions to antisemitic conspiracy beliefs. Court filings show he believed Jews and Israel controlled the U.S. government.
These beliefs, officials said, shaped his decision to target law enforcement. He planned to confront officers during protests scheduled for June 14 in California.
Planned Attack Interrupted
Before the protest, Vandenberg purchased multiple fireworks, including large mortars and powerful firecrackers, in New Mexico. He asked a store employee technical questions about their explosive force.
The employee, disturbed by what was said, reported the encounter to police. Law enforcement later found Vandenberg asleep inside his car on a military base in Arizona. They seized the fireworks before he reached California.
Evidence of Extremist Messaging
A search of Vandenberg’s vehicle uncovered clothing and other materials with antisemitic, anti-Israel, and extremist symbols. Among these items was a shirt that read “Amalek.”
Vandenberg told investigators he understood that term to mean “destroyer of Jews.” Officials said the items reflected how deeply antisemitic themes were embedded in his planning.
Federal Consequences
“People in this country are free to hold their own beliefs and to express them peacefully,” Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison said. “What they are not free to do is use explosives to threaten or terrorize others.”
This case demonstrates how antisemitic conspiracy theories can escalate from rhetoric to planned violence. It also shows that public reporting and law enforcement response can stop potential attacks before they begin.
Take Action
CAM has launched Report It — a secure app to report antisemitic incidents anonymously and in real time. Don’t stay silent — download it today on the Apple Store or Google Play. See it. Report it. Stop it. Together, we can fight this hate.
