A man carrying over 200 explosive devices was arrested outside a church in Washington, D.C., during an event honoring the Supreme Court. The man, Louis Geri, 41, has a criminal history, a violent agenda, and a manifesto expressing hatred toward key American institutions. His arrest raises serious concerns about political violence, threats to religious freedom, and the growing danger posed by radicalized individuals motivated by extreme ideologies.
Geri was found outside the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle during the annual “Red Mass,” a Catholic service held to mark the start of the Supreme Court’s new term. The event is known for bringing together members of the legal community, including justices of the Supreme Court. This year, however, none of the justices attended due to security concerns. That concern proved warranted.
According to police reports, Geri was in a tent on the church steps when officers approached to clear the area. He warned them to stay back, claiming to have explosives. He later threatened officers, saying multiple people would die if they did not move away. He also handed police a nine-page manifesto expressing hatred toward the Catholic Church, the Jewish community, Supreme Court justices, and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Inside the tent, police found over 200 homemade explosive devices. These included materials such as nitromethane and thermite—both highly dangerous chemicals often used in improvised weapons. Geri reportedly claimed he had made grenades and modified fireworks to function as long-range explosives.
The charges against him are serious. They include manufacturing and possessing weapons of mass destruction, assaulting police officers, and making threats of violence. He is currently being held without bond.
This case is the latest in a growing trend of politically motivated threats and attacks aimed at conservative figures and institutions. It comes just two days after a federal judge gave a lenient eight-year sentence to a California man who attempted to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2022. That man, who identifies as transgender, was arrested near Kavanaugh’s home with a gun, zip ties, and other tools. Prosecutors had asked for up to 30 years in prison, but Judge Deborah Boardman, a Biden appointee, handed down a much lighter sentence.
Taken together, these incidents raise serious questions about the selective enforcement of justice and the risk posed to conservative public officials and institutions. In 2018, left-wing activists protested the Red Mass with signs targeting Kavanaugh, based on unproven accusations that were later discredited. That smear campaign, widely promoted by Democratic senators and the media, helped fuel hostility toward the Court. Now, that hostility appears to be escalating into physical threats.
The targeting of the Red Mass is particularly troubling. The event is not political. It is a religious service where prayers are said for wisdom and fairness in the justice system. The fact that it now requires heavy security and is seen as a possible target for violence shows how bitter and polarized the political climate has become.
This episode also highlights the importance of law enforcement vigilance and the need for stronger protections around events involving public officials, especially judges. The U.S. legal system depends on the independence and safety of its members. When threats come from radicalized individuals with violent goals, it is not enough to treat these cases as isolated crimes. They reflect a broader pattern of political extremism.
Geri’s case also raises concerns about mental health and prior criminal behavior. He had served prison time in Arizona and was convicted of indecent exposure in 2021. Yet, despite his record, he was able to gather enough dangerous materials to build over 200 explosive devices. This points to a possible breakdown in monitoring and intervention systems that are supposed to flag individuals at risk of committing violent acts.
In the end, this arrest is a warning. Political violence cannot be tolerated, no matter the ideology behind it. All Americans, regardless of party or belief, should agree that threats to life, freedom of religion, and the rule of law must be taken seriously and punished accordingly. The security of our institutions depends on it.
