Policy

Psychologist: FBI Manipulated Teen Into Terror Plot

On trial for alleged efforts to detonate bomb in Portland, Ore.

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A psychologist testified that the FBI used advanced psychological techniques to lure a teenage terrorism suspect into agreeing to a plan that would have killed thousands.

Elizabeth Cauffman, a defense witness in the trial of Mohamed Mohamud, testified Tuesday that undercover FBI agents rewarded risky behavior and used social pressure to convince Mohamud to attempt to detonate a weapon of mass destruction at Portland's 2010 Christmas tree-lighting.

The bomb was a fake supplied by the FBI.