OPINION: This article may contain commentary which reflects the author's opinion.
The Justice Department announced on Monday the arrest of a Tennessee man on charges of attempting to use a weapon of mass destruction and attempting to destroy an energy facility.
In a press released, the DOJ said that Skyler Philippi, 24, of Columbia, thought that he was moments away from attacking a Nashville energy facility in furtherance of “his white supremacist ideology” before being arrested by undercover FBI agents.
“This case serves as yet another warning to those seeking to sow violence and chaos in the name of hatred by attacking our country’s critical infrastructure: the Justice Department will find you, we will disrupt your plot, and we will hold you accountable,” Attorney General Merrick Garland said in a statement.
“I am grateful to the public servants of the FBI for their extraordinary work on this case and for the work they do every day to keep our country safe,” he added.
Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco noted further: “Those fueled by hate and inspired to violence by racial or ethnic bias pose a grave threat to our national security. Thanks to brave work by the FBI, his scheme was thwarted. We will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to identify, disrupt, and hold accountable those who seek to wage such hate-fueled violence, which has no place in America or anywhere else.”
FBI Director Christopher Wray chimed in as well, noting in a statement: “Driven by a racially motivated violent extremist ideology, the Defendant planned to attack the power grid with a drone and explosives, leaving thousands of Americans and critical infrastructure like hospitals without power.
“The FBI’s swift work led to the detection and disruption of the defendant’s plot before he could cause any damage. We are committed to holding accountable anyone who threatens the security of our critical infrastructure or seeks to harm American communities through domestic violent extremism,” he said.
Beginning in June 2024, Philippi confided in a confidential human source (CHS) about his intention to carry out a mass shooting at a YMCA facility in or around Columbia, Tennessee. In July 2024, he discussed with another CHS the potential impact of targeting large interstate substations, stating that attacking multiple substations would “shock the system” and lead to malfunctions in others.
After researching previous attacks on electric substations, Philippi determined that using firearms alone would not be sufficient. As a result, he planned to employ a drone equipped with explosives to target the substation directly, the DOJ said.
In September 2024, Philippi traveled with undercover FBI employees (UCEs) to an electric substation that he had previously researched and targeted, where he conducted reconnaissance of the site. During the drive, Philippi instructed the UCEs to order a plastic explosive known as C-4, along with other explosives.
He subsequently purchased black powder to be utilized in pipe bombs, which he intended to deploy during the attack on the substation, the agency said.
Philippi texted the CHS: “if you want to do the most damage as an accelerationist, attack high economic, high tax, political zones in every major metropolis.” Referring to the substation, Philippi stated, “Holy sh**. This will go up like a fu**in fourth of July firework.”
Philippi discussed operational security measures, emphasizing the importance of disguises, wearing leather gloves (since latex and nitrile gloves can leave fingerprints), and choosing shoes that are too big, the DOJ noted.
He also mentioned the necessity of burning their clothes after the attack and advised against bringing smartphones on the night of the operation.
On Nov. 2, the DOJ said, Philippi took part in a Nordic ritual, which included reciting a Nordic prayer and discussing the Norse god Odin. Philippi told undercover FBI agents that “this is where the New Age begins” and that it was “time to do something big” that would be remembered “in the annals of history.”
He then drove to the site with the UCEs, who took up their assigned overwatch positions. Police who had been previously alerted to the plot by the FBI then moved in to make the arrest.
