FEMA workers threatened by armed group in Tennessee

[BumRushDaShow]

Source: The Hill

10/16/24 11:03 AM ET


CARTER COUNTY, Tenn. (WJHL) — There were some tense moments on Saturday when volunteers witnessed an armed group of people confronting and threatening FEMA workers in the Elk Mills community of Carter County in Tennessee. Tracy Elder is president and founder of the International Alliance of Community Chaplains. Her group has been working in disaster relief for more than 20 years.

They are in Carter County at the request of the Elk Mills Volunteer Fire Department to help run the command center there, providing supplies and resources for those in need. But Elder told Nexstar’s WJHL that she found herself between FEMA workers and a group of armed citizens criticizing the work of the government agency on Saturday.

Elder was ultimately able to diffuse the situation. “They were armed — they were all open-carry — they had surrounded [the FEMA workers] and there was a lady that was yelling at them and threatening them,” Elder said.

She explained that she listened to the group’s grievances about FEMA but explained to them that her organization was not associated with the federal agency. Elder said she felt the group was frustrated and she was able to hear them out, but was firm that their behavior wasn’t appropriate.

Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/4936262-fema-threatened-armed-group-tennessee/

[EarthFirst]

1. Fuck em! Pack it up and let them figure it the fuck out on their own...

…they can shit in a pot for the remainder of their years when they are denied taxpayer relief funds as well for all I care.

I’m really so sick and tired of this shit.

Sooner than later they’ll realize they are destitute and miserable in their 19th century sovereign citizen post apocalyptic existence.

Sorry.

Rant over.

[Prairie Gates]

2. Don't federal workers engaged in federal business have some protection

Honestly, you get federal time for assaulting a postal worker (as you should!). Bubkiss for FEMA?

[BumRushDaShow]

3. There are times when employees might be escorted by Federal Marshals

notably in these instances, but it depends on what they were assigned to do (it's often if the employees are doing an inspection or search/seizure and are getting refused entry). I think this may be one of the first times that FEMA had to deal with a bunch of armed loons so they might consider something like that in the future although I expect that they would rather use those resources elsewhere, and engage the local LEO to handle the local hoodlums.

[Prairie Gates]

5. Local law enforcement is usually part of the local hoodlums crew!

Some of those who work forces, etc.

[BumRushDaShow]

6. In those rural locations, most likely

which is probably why they have that Chaplain's group there directing things and diffusing the situation.

It's like the rural version of the urban "gang" and "neighborhood borders that one does not cross".

[verargert]

7. not bubkiss

[Prairie Gates]

8. ah

elucidating

[IbogaProject]

11. It clearly meets the definition of terrorism

I'm not a fan of terrorism law but this is a clear example of it. Intimidating government workers and actions with the threat of force. Surrounding rescue support personel crosses that line in my opbion. If they were just detering potential looters maybe ok but just posing and harassing nope. The Feds only pursue slam dunk cases and that could create precedent and then could constrain terror enforcement.

[Boomerproud]

4. She was firm about the inappropriateness of their actions.

Well goody. This country has turned into the Wild West.

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

9. maybe we should deploy soldiers or marines at each FEMA worksite.

Wanna be militia would turn tail and go home.

[AZLD4Candidate]

10. Let them pick up their lives by their bootstraps. Stop sucking from the government teat, freeloaders

Rugged individualism is the core!

[bahboo]

12. ENOUGH!

[ailsagirl]

13. WHY in the world are FEMA workers being threatened???

[BumRushDaShow]

14. It's all the CT crap floating around on RW media (broadcast and social)

Remember the crap about "FEMA Camps" under Obama? There are now "new and improved" CTs being generated.

[raccoon]

15. This mfs should all go to jail.