Attorney general Quote by Margaret Roberts
““According to Terry Nichols, that winter of 1995, in Junction City, Timothy McVeigh accidentally let slip his FBI handler’s name: “ Larry Potts .” Potts, the demoted former FBI deputy director, would surely have outraged McVeigh for his prominent roles in the FBI sieges at Ruby Ridge and Waco. Potts had set the rules of engagement that led to the horrendous sniper killing of Vicki Weaver on her cabin porch in Ruby Ridge, Idaho, as she held her newborn baby in her arms. Then at Waco, Potts had toured the scene late in the FBI’s long siege and recommended the attorney general approve the deadly tear gas raid that ended the Texas standoff with scores of deaths. “ McVeigh said he believed Potts was manipulating him and forcing him to go off script, which I understood meant to change the target of the bombing ,” Nichols said. “ That was the only time I ever heard McVeigh refer to Larry Potts in that context .””
About This Quote
An account linking FBI official Larry Potts to McVeigh’s actions, suggesting manipulation and conspiracy.
In simple terms: Claims Potts influenced McVeigh’s bombing decisions.
Key Takeaway
Critically evaluate sources of authority.
Themes
conspiracy
law enforcement
terrorism
Mood
historical
political
Type
Attorney general:1
Conspiracy theories:1
Fbi:1
Fbi-agent:1
Fbi-investigation:1
Homegrown-terrorism:1
Informants:1
Media manipulation:1
Newborn baby:0
Oklahoma-city-bombing:1
Rules of engagement:1
Timothy-mcveigh:1
Timothy Mcveigh:1
Mcveigh Prominent:0
Late Fbi:0
Mcveigh Said:0
Fbi Sieges:1
When to use this quote
- research
- debate
- policy review
- null
Key Concepts
historical analysis
media literacy
Questions to Reflect On
- skeptical
- serious
A Different Perspective
How reliable are these claims?;What evidence supports the manipulation theory?
