Suspect Arrested in Burglary at Trump Office, Police Share Update
A man suspected of burglarizing a Trump campaign office in Virginia has been arrested in California, according to authorities.
In a statement issued by the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office, Axios reported that University of California San Francisco police detained 39-year-old Toby Shane Kessler for "squatting in an unoccupied campus dormitory."
The sheriff's office explained that the suspect spent a "brief period inside before leaving." Sheriff Mike Chapman commented on the unusual nature of the crime, saying, “It is rare to have the office of any political campaign or party broken into.”
“We are determined to identify the suspect, investigate why it happened, and determine what may have been taken as well as what may have been left behind,” Chapman added.
According to Axios, Kessler is facing burglary charges under Virginia law and is expected to appear in court at a later date.
Meanwhile, the president-elect added another twist to the ongoing media frenzy surrounding his Cabinet selections, issuing a pointed critique of the establishment media on Wednesday.
Reports emerged Tuesday evening that Trump’s nominee for the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister, had withdrawn from consideration. Major outlets, including Fox News and The Wall Street Journal, covered the development, with the Journal highlighting scrutiny surrounding other Cabinet picks as well.
Trump took to Truth Social to push back against the Journal's coverage, calling it misleading.
“The Wall Street Journal is becoming more and more obnoxious and unreadable,” Trump wrote. “Today’s main headline is: ‘Trump’s DEA Pick Pulls Out in Latest Setback.’ With all that’s happening in the World, this is their Number One story of the day.
“Besides, he didn’t pull out, I pulled him out, because I did not like what he said to my pastors and other supporters,” Trump continued. “But, more importantly, what’s my ‘latest’ setback??? I just won the Presidency of the United States! They haven’t written a good story about me in YEARS.”
Trump ended his post with a jab at another media outlet: “Somebody over there ought to look at what they’re doing. The only one worse than them is stupid, China-centric Forbes Magazine!”
Chronister had drawn criticism from Trump supporters after revelations surfaced about his decision to arrest a pastor for holding church services during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Meanwhile, Trump’s pick for Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, signaled on Wednesday that he intends to stay in the running despite growing allegations of misconduct.
Hegseth, a former Fox News contributor and decorated Army officer, told reporters during a Capitol Hill visit that Trump encouraged him to “keep fighting.”
“I spoke to the President-elect this morning. He said keep going, keep fighting… Why would I back down? I’ve always been a fighter,” Hegseth said.
When asked directly about withdrawing his nomination, Hegseth emphasized his focus on meeting with senators to continue the process.
On Friday, Trump voiced his support for Hegseth in a post on Truth Social:
“Pete Hegseth is doing very well. His support is strong and deep, much more so than the Fake News would have you believe. He was a great student – Princeton/Harvard educated – with a Military state of mind. He will be a fantastic, high energy Secretary of Defense, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!”