A transgender woman in Oregon was recently arrested after posting photos showing several guns and speaking about being angry over transphobia.
FBI agents in Oregon arrested Elizabeth West last week after reviewing several social media posts that included photographs of guns, a criminal complaint reviewed by Newsweek said. West was accused of interstate threatening communications, according to the criminal complaint.
The complaint states that on September 26, 2023, FBI agents in Eugene, Oregon, received a tip regarding a social media post made by West in a “Trans Woman Support Group” page on Facebook that showcased two guns and mentioned being bullied by “trans phobic” individuals.
“Well, I wish I had better news to tell but what I’m writing to you right now is the fact that I’m at the end of my rope I’m probably gonna get fired from his job…I’m too old to keep looking for jobs and I’ve had it up to here being bullied by trans phobic a**holes I am left with no alternative. I’ll probably have to go out in a blaze of glory. I’ve been preparing for this moment a long time at least then I’ll be remember I have no family no friends,” the post said.
Getty Images/Department of Justice/ANGELA WEISS / AFP
According to the criminal complaint, officials did not arrest West until January after identifying several social media posts made that showcased different guns and expressed West’s interest in extremist groups.
The arrest comes amid ongoing conversation about transgender individuals in the U.S. Many conservatives and Republicans have spoken out against transgender rights, and some elected officials have sought to ban gender-affirming medical care for minors.
Some Democrats, like President Joe Biden, have expressed support for transgender rights.
“My Administration ended the ban on transgender Americans serving our country and I signed historic executive action to strengthen civil rights protections for all LGBTQI+ Americans,” Biden said in a statement on the Transgender Day of Remembrance in November.
The criminal complaint reviewed by Newsweek states that after West’s initial posts on the Facebook group, FBI agents began surveilling her social media pages. During an interview with FBI agents, West spoke about the Facebook post and explained that she became angry after speaking with a trans woman from Oregon who “had gender reassignment surgery and didn’t have to pay anything out-of-pocket for it.”
The criminal complaint goes on to discuss many other social media posts made by West after creating a profile on X, formerly Twitter.
“From November 27 through December 15, 2023, agents frequented West’s page as it was available to the public. Agents observed that West posted and reposted multiple memes, videos and statements that contained violence toward Black and Jewish people and immigrants, images of weapons owned, idolizing of Hitler and the Nazi flag, and a live-streamed video of the Christchurch Mosque shooting in New Zealand,” the complaint said.
On November 24, a post from West said, “bring it on blackie,” and included photos of firearms.
“On December 5, 2023, West uploaded a picture depicting a shotgun, an assault rifle, two handguns and an AK-47 with a white and green camouflaged body. The comment on the picture states ‘don’t forget white women,'” the complaint said.
While West was making different social media posts, FBI agents attempted to speak with West several times, but many of these calls went unanswered. According to the complaint, in early January, West spoke with FBI agents and confirmed that the X account belonged to her and “acknowledged that she hates Jews, African Americans, and immigrants.”
West also confirmed that she owned several firearms, the complaint said.
“Upon searching West’s residence the same day, agents seized approximately 11 handguns and 16 rifles, tens of thousands of rounds of ammunition, firearm accessories, a black book that matched the description of West’s “black shadow” journal, 48 drawings, and a black and white composition notebook containing notes made by West,” the complaint said.
Following the search of West’s residence, FBI agents took West into custody. She has not yet appeared in court, according to Oregon Live News.
Newsweek reached out to the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Eugene, Oregon, via email and West via social media for comment.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.