who was the us attorney general during the waco assult

by Dr. Orin Wintheiser 9 min read

Waco Siege
During the early days of her tenure as U.S. attorney general, Reno faced one of her biggest challenges.
Jan 29, 2018

What did David Koresh say during the Siege of Waco?

Nov 08, 2016 · Janet Reno, the Clinton administration attorney general during the 1990s who died on Monday at the age of 78, will above all be remembered for her role in the horrific US federal assault against...

What happened at the end of the Waco siege?

Mar 25, 2021 · Attorney General Janet Reno, who approved the deadly final assault, was labeled a “folk hero” by the Los Angeles Times, and the Washington Post declared that she had “superstar status.” A few days after the fire, the opening of a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing had to be delayed so senators could have their pictures taken with Reno.

Was Hillary Clinton responsible for the Waco siege?

Sep 15, 2016 · At the time of the Waco incident the attorney general was Janet Reno, who — after consulting with the President and FBI officials — gave the final approval for the assault on the compound (although...

Who shot first in the Waco massacre?

Nov 18, 1978 · The Siege of Vicksburg (May 18, 1863-July 4, 1863) was a decisive Union victory during the American Civil War (1861-65) that divided the confederacy and cemented the reputation of Union General ...

Who was president when Janet Reno was attorney general?

As Attorney General, Reno oversaw the Justice Department and its 95,000 employees. Reno remained Attorney General for the rest of Clinton' presidency, making her the longest-serving Attorney General since William Wirt in 1829.

What is Janet Reno doing now?

Janet Reno, the first woman to serve as United States attorney general, died on Monday at 78. She died of complications from Parkinson's disease, according to her family. Janet Reno, the first woman to serve as U.S. Attorney General, died on Monday at age 78. Ms.Nov 7, 2016

Who is Janet Reno in Unabomber?

Jane Lynch
Jane Lynch as Janet Reno. The Emmy winning “Glee” actress is starring in the upcoming Discovery Channel miniseries “Manhunt: Unabomber,” as Attorney General Reno, who served in President Clinton's cabinet from 1993 until 2001 and the first female to assume this position.Feb 7, 2019

What did Janet Reno died from?

Parkinson's disease, or simply Parkinson's, is a long-term degenerative disorder of the central nervous system that mainly affects the motor system. The symptoms usually emerge slowly, and as the disease worsens, non-motor symptoms become more common.
Wikipedia

Who was Obama's attorney general?

Eric Himpton Holder Jr.

(born January 21, 1951) is an American lawyer who served as the 82nd Attorney General of the United States from 2009 to 2015. Holder, serving in the administration of President Barack Obama, was the first African American to hold the position of U.S. attorney general.

Is Janet Reno dead?

Who plays attorney general in Unabomber?

Lastly, Lynch looked ahead to her newest role as former Attorney General Janet Reno in Discovery's first scripted series Manhunt: Unabomber. “I was really proud to play Janet Reno.
...
typeMovie
runtime89 minutes
directorChristopher Guest
1 more row
Jul 27, 2017

Who is the first woman attorney general?

On March 12, 1993, Ms. Reno became the first woman and 78th attorney general. She went on to become the longest serving attorney general in the 20th century.Mar 16, 2021

What does the attorney general do?

The Attorney General is the adviser to the Government on matters of law and legal opinion and attends Government meetings. They also represent the public in all legal proceedings that involve the enforcement of the law or the protection of public rights.Sep 24, 2021

What was Janet Reno's role in Waco?

Shortly after she was sworn into the role of Attorney General, Reno became embroiled in controversy over the deadly raid she ordered following a standoff between the Branch Davidians, a religious sect, and federal agents at the sect's compound near Waco, Texas.Nov 7, 2016

Who appointed Reno as the first female attorney general?

Reno was thrust into the national spotlight in 1993 when President Bill Clinton appointed her to become the first female U.S. attorney general.

Who was the unabomber in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing?

Reno was also in charge during the Justice Department's prosecution of several high-profile cases including the convictions of Sheik Omar Abdel-Rahman for his role in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing; Timothy McVeigh and Terry Nichols for their deadly bombing of the Alfred P. Murrah Federal Building in Oklahoma City; and Ted Kaczynski, who became known as the “Unabomber” for a 17-year domestic terrorist campaign of mailing letter bombs.

Who was the leader of the Branch Davidians?

In early 1993, cult leader David Koresh and his followers, known as the Branch Davidians, ended up in a 51-day standoff with agents from the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms. Reno was called upon to help resolve the situation.

When did Reno order a raid on the Miami home?

Reno became involved in negotiations and when they stalled in April 2000 she ordered a raid on the U.S. relatives’ Miami home that would ultimately return the young refugee back to his father in Cuba. Her controversial intervention enraged the Cuban American community in Miami.

Who was the attorney general of the Clinton administration?

Janet Reno, the Clinton administration attorney general during the 1990s who died on Monday at the age of 78, will above all be remembered for her role in the horrific US federal assault against the Branch Davidian religious cult in April 1993, at a cost of more than 80 lives, including those of 21 children.

Who was the first woman to head the Justice Department?

Just as the new president had to signal that his days as a student protester against the war in Vietnam had long since passed, Reno , the first woman to head the US Justice Department, felt the need to demonstrate that she would be merciless in her defense of the state.

What was Reno's decision to return to his father?

Reno presided as Elian was returned to his father in Cuba, a decision that enraged ultra-right Cuban exiles when it took place in 2000. The most significant of Reno’s decisions, however, was that concerning Waco. The fact that the Waco assault came so early in the Clinton administration was not coincidental.

Who is the FBI negotiator in Waco?

His book served in part as the basis for the 2018 Paramount Network six-part television drama miniseries Waco, starring Michael Shannon as the FBI negotiator Gary Noesner and Taylor Kitsch as David Koresh. Developed by John Erick Dowdle and Drew Dowdle, it premiered on January 24, 2018.

What was the Waco siege?

The Waco siege, also known as the Waco massacre, was the law enforcement siege of the compound that belonged to the religious sect Branch Davidians.

Why did the Waco siege end?

Ending of the siege due to set fires, the Federal Government failed in rescuing the children. The Waco siege, also known as the Waco massacre, was the law enforcement siege of the compound that belonged to the religious sect Branch Davidians.

What was the Waco massacre?

The Waco siege, also known as the Waco massacre, was the law enforcement siege of the compound that belonged to the religious sect Branch Davidians. It was carried out by the U.S. federal government, Texas state law enforcement, and the U.S. military, between February 28 and April 19, 1993.

Who was in charge of the San Antonio siege?

ATF agents established contact with Koresh and others inside the compound after they withdrew. The FBI took command soon after as a result of the deaths of federal agents, placing Jeff Jamar, head of the Bureau's San Antonio field office, in charge of the siege as Site Commander.

What happened in 1992 in Waco?

The Waco siege, as well as the 1992 incident between the Weaver family and the FBI at Ruby Ridge, Idaho, were still fresh in the public mind , and the FBI was extremely cautious and wanted to prevent a recurrence of those violent events.

What was the first movie about the Waco siege?

The first film was a made-for television docudrama film, In the Line of Duty: Ambush in Waco , which was made during the siege, before the April 19 assault on the church, and presented the initial firefight of February 28, 1993 as an ambush.

Did the Office of Special Counsel investigate the basis for ATF's assertion that there was a drug nex

Instead, Danforth’s report not ed that while “the Office of Special Counsel did not extensively investigate the basis for ATF’s assertion that there was a drug nexus … there is some evidence prior to February 28, 1993, connecting ‘drug activity’ with the complex which could form the basis of a drug nexus.”.

Who approved the Texas carnage?

Almost nobody in Washington cared about the Texas carnage. Attorney General Janet Reno, who approved the deadly final assault, was labeled a “folk hero” by the Los Angeles Times, and the Washington Post declared that she had “superstar status.”.

How many bodies were found in the Texas carnage?

Eighty corpses of men, women, and children were discovered in the wreckage. Almost nobody in Washington cared about the Texas carnage. Attorney General Janet Reno, who approved the deadly final assault, was labeled a “folk hero” by the Los Angeles Times, and the Washington Post declared that she had “superstar status.”.

Who was Bill Clinton's golf buddy?

Reno personally selected Danforth, a golfing buddy of President Bill Clinton, to reinvestigate federal action at Waco. In July 2000, after he was rumored to be on the short list as George W. Bush’s vice presidential pick, Danforth rushed out a preliminary report.

What was Danforth's investigation?

Danforth declared that one of the key topics for his investigation was “whether the military was wrongly used” in the assault on the Davidians’ home. Before the February 28 raid, ATF officials were told that it would be illegal for the U.S. military to assist them unless there was a “drug nexus” to the case.

Did the ATF believe that a meth lab did not exist?

A 1996 congressional report concluded that the ATF’s actions during and after the raid made it “clear that the ATF believed that a methamphetamine lab did not exist.”. The House report concluded that “the ATF intentionally misled Defense Department and military personnel” regarding the existence of the meth lab.

Why was the Senate Appropriations Committee hearing delayed?

A few days after the fire, the opening of a Senate Appropriations Committee hearing had to be delayed so senators could have their pictures taken with Reno. In 1995, she testified to Congress and shrugged off the FBI’s use of 54-ton tanks to assail the Davidians, declaring that the tanks were “not military weapons….

Who was the White House counsel who was responsible for the attack on the Branch Davidian compound?

Appearing on CNN’s Larry King Live, fmr. White House aide Linda Tripp suggested that Deputy White House Counsel Vince Foster — at Mrs. Clinton’s direction — transmitted the order to move on the Branch Davidian compound, which culminated in a military style attack.

How many ATF agents were killed in the shootout?

Four ATF agents were killed and sixteen were wounded during the shootout with the Branch Davidians on February 28. Additionally, a number of individuals inside the compound were killed and injured; however, the number killed by ATF gunfire cannot be precisely determined.

Who was the special forces investigator who claimed Hillary Clinton set up a special crisis center in the White House?

Tripp’s allegations lend weight to charges made previously by Special Forces expert and Waco investigator, Steve Barry — who claimed Hillary Clinton set up a special “crisis center” in the White House to deal with Waco.

What happened to David Koresh?

Central Time, agents of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms (ATF) came under heavy gunfire while attempting to execute an arrest warrant for Vernon Howell, otherwise known as David Koresh. The warrant authorized Koresh’s arrest for federal firearms and explosives violations.

What was the FBI responsible for?

The next day (March 1, 1993), also at the request of Treasury Department officials, the FBI became the lead agency responsible for resolving the standoff with the Branch Davidians. The Branch Davidians, an offshoot of the Seventh Day Adventists, strongly believed that the Second Coming of Christ was imminent, and that the end ...

What time did the FBI call the Davidians?

On April 19, the FBI telephoned the compound at 5:59 a.m. to inform the Davidians that tear gas would be released into the compound, and to assure them that the FBI was not launching an assault. At 6:02 a.m., an FBI tank with an attached boom began inserting gas into the compound.

What time did the FBI hear the fire at the FBI compound?

The fires rapidly engulfed the compound in flames and smoke. At approximately 12:25 p.m., the FBI agents closest to the compound heard what they described as “systematic” gunfire. Many agents believed at the time that those inside were killing themselves, killing each other, or both.

When did the Waco siege start?

KORESH AND THE FBI. FIRE ENGULFS WACO COMPOUND. LEGACY OF THE WACO SIEGE. Sources. The Waco Siege began in early 1993, when a government raid on a compound near Waco, Texas, led to a 51-day standoff between federal agents and members of a millennial Christian sect called the Branch Davidians. The siege ended dramatically on April 19, 1993, ...

Who was the leader of the Branch Davidians?

DAVID KORESH. On February 28, 1993, some 80 agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) raided a religious compound at Mount Carmel, near Waco, Texas, after receiving reports that the Branch Davidians and their leader, David Koresh, were violating federal firearms regulations. After four ATF agents and six Davidians were ...

When did the ATF raid Mount Carmel?

On February 28, 1993, some 80 agents from the U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) raided a religious compound at Mount Carmel, near Waco, Texas, after receiving reports that the Branch Davidians and their leader, David Koresh, were violating federal firearms regulations. After four ATF agents and six Davidians were killed in ...

How many children did the Davidians send out?

Despite some early negotiating successes—the Davidians sent about 2 dozen children out in exchange for food and other supplies—numerous children remained among those inside, many of them Koresh’s children with various women.

Who was Koresh in the Bible?

KORESH AND THE FBI. In his negotiations with the FBI during the Waco siege, Koresh claimed he was a messianic figure prophesied in the Bible and that God had given him his surname. He threatened violence against those who would attack him and his family, but asserted that the Davidians weren’t planning a mass suicide.

What did Koresh say about the Waco siege?

In his negotiations with the FBI during the Waco siege, Koresh claimed he was a messianic figure prophesied in the Bible and that God had given him his surname. He threatened violence against those who would attack him and his family, but asserted that the Davidians weren’t planning a mass suicide.

Did Reno take responsibility for the Waco raid?

Reno took responsibility for the botched raid, later admitting there was no evidence of ongoing child abuse within the compound (which had been one of the justifications for ordering the gas attack).

When did the standoff between the FBI and the Department of Justice end?

Carmel compound near. Waco, Texas which ended on April 19, 1993 when fire consumed the compound, killing. David Koresh and most of his followers.

When was the tear gas plan implemented?

the conception, approval and implementation of the tear gas plan on April 19, 1993, this. Report concludes as follows. The fire on April 19, 1993 was deliberately set by persons inside the compound and was. not started by the FBI's tear gas insertion operations. It is not certain, however, whether a.

When did the ATF request assistance from the FBI?

SUMMARY OF THE NEGOTIATIONS. ATF requested assistance from the FBI on February 28, 1993 after ATF agents had attempted. to serve an arrest and search warrant on the Branch Davidian Compound. Four ATF agents were.

How many guns did the Davidians have in 1993?

that by February 28, 1993 Koresh and his associates had at least 243 total firearms, including. two 50 caliber semi-automatic rifles, numerous assault rifles, shotguns, revolvers and pistols. The Davidians also purchased hundreds of grenades and 39 "full auto sears" devices used to.

When did behavioral scientists write a memo?

the information that was necessary. The chronology of the written advice from the behavioral scientists is as follows: on March 3, 1993 the behavioral experts wrote a joint memo recommending a strategy of trying to work.

What were the tactical activities that were used to increase stress and anxiety?

done, such as floodlights, noises, loudspeakers, movement of military vehicles, shutting off.

Where was the Branch Davidian compound burned?

At Mount Carmel in Waco, Texas, the Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI) launches a tear-gas assault on the Branch Davidian compound, ending a tense 51-day standoff between the federal government and an armed religious cult. By the end of the day, the compound was burned to the ground, and some 80 Branch Davidians, including 22 children, ...

Where was the tear gas attack on the Branch Davidian compound?

At Mount Carmel in Waco, Texas, the Federal Bureau of Investigation ( FBI) launches a tear-gas assault on the Branch Davidian compound, ending a tense 51-day standoff between the federal government and an armed religious cult.

How many children died in the Branch Davidian?

By the end of the day, the compound was burned to the ground, and some 80 Branch Davidians, including 22 children, had perished in the inferno. On February 28, 1993, agents of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) launched a raid against the Branch Davidian compound as part of an investigation ...

When did the Branch Davidian raid happen?

On February 28, 1993 , agents of the U.S. Treasury Department’s Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms (ATF) launched a raid against the Branch Davidian compound as part of an investigation into illegal possession of firearms and explosives by the Christian cult.

How many Branch Davidians were killed?

Six Branch Davidians were fatally wounded, and several more were injured, including David Koresh, the cult’s founder and leader. After 45 minutes of shooting, the ATF agents withdrew, and a cease-fire was negotiated over the telephone.

How many ATF agents were involved in the Waco Siege?

The operation, which involved more than 100 ATF agents, was one of the largest ever mounted by the bureau and resulted in the highest casualties of any ATF operation. READ MORE: The Waco Siege: 6 Little-Known Facts. David Koresh was born Vernon Wayne Howell in Houston, Texas, in 1959.

Where is David Koresh?

David Koresh was born Vernon Wayne Howell in Houston, Texas , in 1959. In 1981, he joined the Branch Davidians, a sect of the Seventh Day Adventist Church founded in 1934 by a Bulgarian immigrant named Victor Houteff.

Overview

The Waco siege, also known as the Waco massacre, was the law enforcement siege of the compound that belonged to the religious sect Branch Davidians. It was carried out by the U.S. federal government, Texas state law enforcement, and the U.S. military, between February 28 and April 19, 1993. The Branch Davidians were led by David Koresh and were headquartered at Mount Carmel Centerranc…

Background

The Branch Davidians (also known as "The Branch") are a religious group that originated in 1955 from a schism in the Shepherd's Rod (Davidians) following the death of the Shepherd's Rod founder Victor Houteff. Houteff founded the Davidians based on his prophecy of an imminent apocalypse involving the Second Coming of Jesus Christ and the defeat of the evil armies of Babylon. As the origi…

Prelude

On February 27, 1993, the Waco Tribune-Herald began publishing "The Sinful Messiah", a series of articles by Mark England and Darlene McCormick, who reported allegations that Koresh had physically abused children in the compound and had committed statutory rape by taking multiple underage brides. Koresh was also said to advocate polygamyfor himself and declared himself married to several female residents of the small community. The paper claimed that Koresh ha…

The Aguilera affidavit

The ATF used an affidavit filed by David Aguilera to obtain the warrant that led to the Waco siege. The official filing date of this affidavit was February 25, 1993. Allegedly, the initial investigation began in June 1992 when a postal worker informed a sheriff of McLennan County that he believed he had been delivering explosives to the ammo and gun store owned and operated by the Branch Davidians. This store, named the "Mag-Bag", had been identified by the said postal worker as sus…

ATF raid

Using the affidavit filed by Aguilera that alleged that the Davidians had violated federal law, the ATF obtained search and arrest warrantsfor Koresh and specific followers on weapons charges, citing the many firearms they had accumulated. The search warrant commanded a search "on or before February 28, 1993", in the daytime between 6:00 am and 10:00 pm. The ATF made a claim that Kores…

FBI siege

ATF agents established contact with Koresh and others inside the compound after they withdrew. The FBI took command soon after as a result of the deaths of federal agents, placing Jeff Jamar, head of the Bureau's San Antonio field office, in charge of the siege as Site Commander. The FBI Hostage Rescue Team (HRT) was headed by HRT Commander Richard Rogers, who had previously been criticized for his actions during the Ruby Ridge incident. As at Ruby Ridge, Roger…

Final assault and burning of Mount Carmel

Newly appointed U.S. Attorney General Janet Reno approved recommendations by the FBI Hostage Rescue Team to mount an assault, after being told that conditions were deteriorating and that children were being abused inside the compound. Reno made the FBI's case to President Clinton. Recalling the April 19, 1985, The Covenant, The Sword, and the Arm of the Lord (CSA) siege in Arkansas(which …

Aftermath

The new ATF Director, John Magaw, criticized several aspects of the ATF raid. Magaw made the Treasury "Blue Book" report on Waco required reading for new agents. A 1995 Government Accountability Officereport on the use of force by federal law enforcement agencies observed that "On the basis of Treasury's report on the Waco operation and views of tactical operations experts and AT…