Former Navy SEAL with neo-Nazi ties convicted of plotting violent attacks

NEW MEXICO — A federal jury has convicted a former U.S. Navy SEAL with neo-Nazi ties for transporting fireworks across state lines with the intent to injure law enforcement officers.

Gregory Vandenberg, 49, faces up to 10 years in prison following the five-day trial. Prosecutors said Vandenberg planned to travel from El Paso to San Diego to use the explosives at a protest on June 14.

According to the Department of Justice, FBI agents recovered messages from Vandenberg’s phone expressing dissatisfaction with President Trump and claiming the U.S. government is controlled by Israel and Jewish people.

When authorities arrested Vandenberg in Arizona, they discovered neo-Nazi symbols, flags from extremist groups, and an Al Qaeda flag inside his vehicle.

The investigation began after Vandenberg purchased six large mortar fireworks and 72 M-150 firecrackers from a New Mexico store. He reportedly told a clerk he intended to use the items to harm police officers.

Store employees alerted law enforcement after recording Vandenberg's license plate number.

The case of Gregory Vandenberg serves as a stark case study in the volatile and often contradictory nature of contemporary far-right extremism in the United States. As a former member of the elite Navy SEALs, Vandenberg represents a high-risk profile: an individual possessing both specialized tactical training and a deep-seated commitment to violent accelerationist ideologies.

Vandenberg’s radicalization trajectory highlights a multi-directional hostility that defies simple categorization. His grievances were not merely anti-government, but were rooted in virulent antisemitic conspiracy theories regarding federal institutional control. Notably, his dissatisfaction extended even to former President Donald Trump, whom he criticized for failing to adopt a sufficiently radical stance. The discovery of both neo-Nazi and Al Qaeda iconography in his possession points to a burgeoning "accelerationist" doctrine. In this framework, the primary objective is the total collapse of the existing socio-political order; adherents are increasingly willing to find common cause with any extremist movement—including Islamist militants—viewed as a tool for systemic destabilization.

Beyond the ideological implications, the resolution of the Vandenberg case offers critical insights for domestic counter-terrorism policy. His apprehension was not the result of a high-level intelligence operation, but rather the vigilance of retail employees who recognized suspicious behavior and alerted authorities. This underscores a persistent reality in homeland security: the most effective barrier against domestic terrorism is often not clandestine surveillance, but public awareness. The case reinforces the necessity of "see something, say something" protocols, proving that the early identification of behavioral red flags by civilians remains a linchpin in preventing mass-casualty events.

While this incident does not directly impact Vietnamese-American businesses or immigration matters—such as F2B, H-1B, TPS, or EB-5 visa statuses—it underscores a troubling trend of political violence and extremism across the United States. From the nail salon industry and phở restaurants to the steady flow of remittances, the community’s economic interests remain stable for now. However, the rise of hate groups, regardless of their ideology, fosters an atmosphere of insecurity for all minorities. For those living in Little Saigon and other enclaves, these developments serve as a sobering reminder that the Vietnamese diaspora could easily become a target in an increasingly polarized landscape.