A man suspected of burglarizing a Trump campaign office in Virginia has been arrested in California, authorities reported.
According to a statement from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in Virginia, Axios reported that the University of California San Francisco Police Department apprehended Toby Shane Kessler, 39, “for squatting in an unoccupied campus dormitory.”
The suspect then spent a “brief period inside before leaving,” according to the sheriff’s office. “It is rare to have the office of any political campaign or party broken into,” Sheriff Mike Chapman said in a statement following the August break-in.
“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,” the sheriff added.
Axios added: “Kessler faces burglary charges under Virginia Code and will appear in court at at later date, per the sheriff’s office statement.”
Meanwhile, the 47th president-to-be gave a pointed correction to the establishment media on Wednesday, adding another twist to his Cabinet selection process.
Reports emerged late Tuesday that Trump’s nominee to lead the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister, withdrew from consideration.
Major outlets, including Fox News and The Wall Street Journal, covered the story, with the Journal noting that Trump’s other Cabinet picks are also facing “scrutiny.”
The president-elect took particular umbrage with the Journal‘s coverage and took to his Truth Social platform to issue a correction.
“The Wall Street Journal is becoming more and more obnoxious and unreadable,” Trump began. “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.”
He concluded with a zinger at another finance-oriented publication that has gone from right-leaning to moderate at best over the past decade: “Somebody over there ought to look at what they’re doing. The only one worse than them is stupid, China-centric Forbes Magazine!”
Chronister faced intense criticism from Trump’s base of support after it came to light that he had once arrested a pastor for holding church services during the peak of COVID-19 lockdowns.
Meanwhile, Trump’s pick to lead the Defense Department strongly suggested during a hallway interview at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday that he’s not going to drop out of consideration despite mounting allegations of sexual and personal misconduct.
Former Fox News contributor Pete Hegseth, an Army officer with documented combat experience, said that he spoke with Trump earlier in the day and that the president-elect 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,” he told a reporter.
Asked directly if he was thinking of withdrawing his name amid the allegations, Hegseth said he was on Capitol Hill to meet with senators and that would continue.
On Friday, Trump dropped a new statement in support of Hegseth, noting on his Truth Social account.
“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 Defense, one who leads with charisma and skill. Pete is a WINNER, and there is nothing that can be done to change that!!!” he wrote.
