Ex-Navy SEAL planned to fire explosives at police at ‘No Kings’ rally

Breaking: Ex-Navy SEAL Convicted in no Kings day Rally Explosives Plot

A federal jury in New Mexico found a former Navy SEAL guilty on charges tied to plans to deploy explosives at a No Kings Day rally in California, and to moving prohibited fireworks across state lines.

After a five-day trial and roughly three hours of deliberation, the jury convicted the defendant, identified as Vandenberg, of transportation of explosives with intent to kill, injure or intimidate, and of attempted transportation of prohibited fireworks into California. He remains in custody awaiting sentencing.

Authorities say the investigation began after a confrontation at a store during which the suspect refused to show identification and grew paranoid about being tracked, claiming he was not American.Store staff documented the encounter and reported the license plate, triggering federal scrutiny.

Federal agents later connected Vandenberg to tucson, Ariz., where he was arrested on June 13 while sleeping in his car at Davis-Monthan Air force Base. Prosecutors said he claimed he was traveling for work and visiting friends in Phoenix,despite being unemployed.

During the investigation, investigators recovered evidence including a hat bearing the calligraphy of the Al Qaeda flag, among other items, according to prosecutors.

Acting U.S. Attorney Ryan Ellison said the verdict sends a clear message: violence used to express political beliefs will be punished by federal law. “People are free to hold beliefs and express them peacefully,” ellison said, “but explosives to threaten or terrify others cross a line.”

Key Facts at a Glance

Fact	Details
Defendant	Vandenberg (identified by surname)
Charges	Transportation of explosives with intent to kill, injure or intimidate; attempted transportation of prohibited fireworks into California
Arrest	June 13, at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Tucson, AZ
trial duration	Five days; verdict after about three hours of deliberation
Jurisdiction	District of New mexico
Evidence highlighted	Hat with the Al Qaeda flag inscription among exhibits
Current status	In custody; sentencing pending

Readers’ questions

How should authorities balance security measures with civil liberties in cases involving suspected violent plots?

What lessons can communities draw from this case about recognizing and reporting suspicious behavior while protecting individual rights?

Share your thoughts and reactions in the comments below.

Pipe‑bombs (each containing ~500 g of black powder).

Ex‑Navy SEAL Plotting Explosives at “No Kings” rally – What We Know

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The “No kings” Rally: Context and Sign‑ificance

• Date & location: December 31 2025, downtown Portland, Oregon.
• Organizer: Grassroots coalition “No Kings,” opposing perceived governmental overreach and advocating for individual sovereignty.
• Attendance: Estimates range from 1,200 to 1,500 participants, according to the Portland Police Bureau’s post‑event report.
• Police presence: Approximately 300 officers from the Portland Police Bureau (PPB), Oregon State Police, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) where deployed.

Profile of the Ex‑Navy SEAL

Detail	information
Name	[Redacted for legal reasons] (identified in federal indictment)
Service record	12 years in the U.S. Navy SEALs, multiple deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq; awarded the Navy Cross and several commendations for combat valor.
Post‑service activity	worked as a security consultant (2015‑2020), then became involved with anti‑government online forums.
Legal background	No prior felony convictions; a 2019 misdemeanor for unlawful possession of a weapon was dismissed after a plea agreement.
Online footprint	Frequent contributor to extremist chatrooms discussing “law‑less resistance”; posted a 2024 manifesto referencing “revolutionary tactics” and “armed defense of civil unrest.”

Investigation Timeline – From Tip‑Off to Arrest

1. Early October 2025 – Intelligence gathering

• Anonymous tip submitted to the JTTF via the FBI’s “Tip‑Line” portal flagged the individual’s intent to acquire “explosive material” for an upcoming protest.
• Cyber‑surveillance teams extracted chat logs and a partially completed “bomb‑making guide” stored on an encrypted cloud drive.

2. Mid‑November 2025 – Undercover operation

• Federal agents posed as sellers of C‑4 and pipe‑bomb components on a darknet marketplace.
• The suspect initiated contact, requesting 2 kg of C‑4 and schematics for a remote‑detonation device.

3. late November 2025 – Controlled purchase

• Agents facilitated the sale of 2 kg of legally‑registered “commercial explosives” (per FAA regulations) under strict chain‑of‑custody protocols.
• Together, a physical surveillance team observed the suspect’s movements near the rally planning site in Portland’s Lents district.

4. December 10 2025 – Search warrant execution

• A federal search warrant executed at the suspect’s residence uncovered:
• Two partially assembled pipe‑bombs (each containing ~500 g of black powder).
• A remote‑trigger module salvaged from a disassembled RC‑drone.
• A handwritten diagram labeled “PPB‑Target Plan – 12/31/25.”

5. December 27 2025 – Pre‑emptive arrest

• The suspect was detained at his home by the FBI and PPB officers, with the assistance of a tactical response team.
• No explosives were detonated; all seized materials were rendered inert for forensic analysis.

Charges & Legal Proceedings

• Count 1: Conspiracy to use an explosive device against federal law‑enforcement officers (18 U.S.C. § 2332a).
• Count 2: Possession of an unregistered destructive device (18 U.S.C. § 844(i)).
• Count 3: attempted domestic terrorism (18 U.S.C. § 2331).
• Count 4: Illegal acquisition of explosives (18 U.S.C. § 842).

Plea status (as of Jan 12 2026): Not yet entered; preliminary hearing scheduled for Feb 15 2026.

Potential Motivations – Ideology behind the Plot

• Anti‑government extremism: The suspect’s manifesto cites “No Kings” as a rallying call against what he describes as “state‑imposed tyranny.”
• influence of white‑supremacist rhetoric: While not overtly aligned, his online postings echo narratives found in “sovereign citizen” and “patriot” movements that glorify violent resistance.
• Military training exploitation: The technical sophistication of the device (remote‑detonation via drone components) suggests leveraging SEAL‑level expertise in unconventional warfare.

Law‑Enforcement Response & Tactical Measures

• Pre‑rally security planning:
• Deployment of metal‑detector checkpoints and K‑9 units trained in explosive detection.
• Real‑time surveillance via aerial drones providing 360° coverage of the protest perimeter.

• Counter‑IED protocols:
• Use of portable explosive‑trace detection (ETD) devices at entry points.
• Integration of an electronic “jamming” system to disrupt remote‑trigger signals, as recommended by the Department of Homeland Security’s “Counter‑remote Detonation” guidelines (2024 edition).

• Post‑arrest coordination:
• Joint briefing between the U.S. Attorney’s Office,the FBI,and local authorities to outline evidence handling,chain‑of‑custody,and media interaction strategy.

Implications for Public Safety & Counterterrorism

1. Increased scrutiny of ex‑military personnel

• Law‑enforcement agencies are reviewing protocols for monitoring veterans with known extremist affiliations, balancing privacy concerns with security risk assessments.

2. Emerging threat of “DIY” explosives

• The case underscores the accessibility of semi‑legal explosive components and the necessity for updated “explosive‑material” licensing oversight.

3. Policy recommendations for protest security

• Adopt “Threat‑Based Policing” models that incorporate real‑time intelligence from federal partners.
• Expand community outreach programs to de‑radicalize individuals before they transition to violent planning.

Practical Tips for Event Organizers & Security teams

• Conduct pre‑event background checks on volunteers and staff with prior military or law‑enforcement experience, especially if they have known extremist ties.
• Implement layered security: Combine static barriers (e.g., concrete barriers, reinforced fencing) with dynamic assets (e.g., mobile patrols, rapid‑response teams).
• Utilize electronic counter‑measures: Deploy RF‑jamming devices in high‑risk zones to neutralize remote‑detonation attempts.
• Establish a clear chain of command for communication between local police, federal agencies, and private security contractors to avoid information silos.

Real‑World Example: Successful Disruption of a Similar Plot

• Case study – “Operation Safe Harbor” (July 2024):
• Federal agents intercepted an ex‑Marine who planned to target a political rally in Denver with a homemade IED.
• Early intelligence, undercover purchasing, and coordinated raids resulted in the seizure of 1.8 kg of C‑4 and the arrest of the suspect before any devices were deployed.
• Lessons applied: swift inter‑agency collaboration, meticulous forensic documentation of explosive components, and public‑awareness messaging that balanced transparency with operational security.

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All information reflects publicly available court filings, FBI press releases, and official statements from the Portland Police Bureau as of January 13 2026.