FREDERICKSBURG, Virginia — The Marine Corps Base Quantico leadership did not inform its personnel of an attempted breach by two Jordanian nationals until two weeks after the incident occurred. The breach attempt took place on May 3 when the two men, driving a box truck, approached the Fuller Road Gate, were stopped for screening, and attempted to force their way onto the base but were halted by military sentries.
The incident, first reported by Potomac Local News and confirmed by Capt. Michael Curtis, a base spokesman, was only communicated to Marines on May 16. This delay in notification has raised concerns among base personnel and the local community.
The two Jordanian nationals involved in the incident are currently in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Reports suggest that one of the men may have crossed into the U.S. through the southern border and might be on the U.S. government’s terrorist watch list, although these details remain unverified.
The Quantico spokesperson defended the handling of the situation, stating that the attempted breach was immediately reported to military officials and that mass notifications are always used in cases of immediate threat. However, Strickland argued that the secrecy was aimed at avoiding embarrassment rather than protecting national security.
Speculation about the incident includes concerns that it might have been a dry run for a future terror attack. Strickland, drawing on his experience in Iraq and Afghanistan, emphasized the reality of such threats and criticized the broader issue of illegal immigration and national security.
Authorities are still investigating how the two Jordanian nationals were able to attempt the breach and what their motives might have been. Meanwhile, the incident has prompted scrutiny from lawmakers, including Senate Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Lindsey Graham, who has questioned DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas about how the men entered the country and whether they were on any terrorist watch lists.
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