FBI Deputy Director Paul Abbate testified before Congress on Tuesday about the Trump rally shooter’s motives, but Gab’s CEO quickly denied the allegations.
Abate testified Suspect Thomas Matthew Crooks posted hundreds of messages on social media, some of which expressed anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant sentiment.
“As far as Gab knows, as of 2021, Crooks is a pro-lockdown, pro-immigration, left-wing Joe Biden supporter.”
“Some of these comments, if ultimately attributed to the shooter, are believed to be extreme in nature, reflecting anti-Semitic and anti-immigrant themes and inciting political violence,” Abbate said.
The posts were reportedly published between 2019 and 2020.
“While our investigative team is still working to verify whether this account indeed belongs to the shooter, we believe it is important to share and document this account today, especially given that little other information has been obtained to date from social media or other sources that reflects the shooter’s potential motive or mindset,” Abbate added.
Andrew Trouba, CEO of the social media platform Gab, said the company had received a request from the FBI about posts believed to be from Crooks, but added that the posts seemed to indicate a motive opposite to Abate’s account.
“This is inconsistent with Gab’s understanding of the shooter’s motive, based on the Emergency Disclosure Request (EDR) it received from the FBI last week for the Gab account “EpicMicrowave,” which, based on the contents of that EDR, the FBI appears to believe belongs to Thomas Crooks.” Said From Torba’s official social media accounts.
He added that the company typically doesn’t review communications with law enforcement, but made an exception in this case because of the “overwhelming public interest.”
“Here’s the story: The account whose data was requested was unmistakably pro-Biden and specifically supported Biden’s immigration policies,” Torba said. “As far as Gab knows, as of 2021, Crooks was a pro-lockdown, pro-immigration, left-wing Joe Biden supporter.”
Torba also posted a copy of the FBI’s request, but redacted some information out of consideration for the FBI’s investigation.
Abbate’s testimony was challenged by Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee.
“I understand that the Gab account has pro-immigration, pro-lockdown, left-wing views. Is that correct?” she asked.
“I haven’t seen it directly, but from what I’ve heard, I believe the Gab account is accurate,” Abbate responded. “I’m still verifying if it’s his account, but it seems like there’s a different perspective.”
Abbate’s testimony Published To YouTube.
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