DHS Issues Bulletin Over Heightened Domestic Terrorism Risk
For the first time ever, the Department of Homeland Security has issued a national terrorism bulletin about violent domestic extremists. The bulletin comes after the January 6 riot on Capitol Hill which has heightened the threat of violence across the nation, according to DHS. The bulletin, formally titled the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS), was issued on January 27 and is set to expire on April 30 of this year.
National Bulletin Aimed at Domestic Violent Extremists
The bulletin specifically points out “Domestic Violent Extremists” or DVEs and states that throughout 2020, these DVEs "targeted individuals with opposing views engaged in First Amendment-protected, non-violent protest activity.” The bulletin goes on to explain that these extremists were “motivated by a range of issues, including anger over COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020 election results, and police use of force.”
Although DHS does not cite any specific threats, they do express concern that the violence seen on January 6 poses a credible risk that may continue throughout the weeks after President Biden’s inauguration. DHS does not dive into specifics, but they do state, "Information suggests that some ideologically-motivated violent extremists with objections to the exercise of governmental authority and the presidential transition, as well as other perceived grievances fueled by false narratives, could continue to mobilize to incite or commit violence.”
As part of NTAS, the government is asking the public to report any suspicious activity to either their local law enforcement, their local Fusion Center, or any FBI field office.
The bulletin also advises the public not to gather in large crowds, specifically protests. However, if people do choose to exercise their right to protest, DHS asks that the public do so peacefully and safely.
Domestic Terrorists May Include Former Military Members
As many individuals have found themselves being pushed to the fringes of political discourse, many have turned to online social media groups where extremist, far-right, radical views continue to be spread.
In a review of public records done by the Associated Press, at least 22 individuals identified as having participated in the insurrection have a military or law enforcement background. For some of the individuals who were arrested after the insurrection, their service to the country has fueled their hatred for the current political climate, paving the way for extremist behavior to develop.
The widely circulated photos and videos of the insurrection were also littered with individuals who wore tactical military-style gear. Some even wore insignia that identify them as service members.
The Associated Press highlights former FBI agent Michael German, who shares, “ISIS and al-Qaida would drool over having someone with the training and experience of a U.S. military officer. These people have training and capabilities that far exceed what any foreign terrorist group can do. Foreign terrorist groups don’t have any members who have badges.”
White Supremacists Pose Greatest Threat
In October of last year, DHS released its first annual Homeland Threat Assessment. In this assessment, DHS stated that White supremacist extremists continue to pose the highest threat of domestic terrorism to the nation.
The threat assessment highlights that since 2018, there have been more lethal attacks in the nation conducted by White supremacists than any other domestic extremist group. These domestic extremists targeted individuals of minority races and religions as well as members of minority groups including the LGBTQ community. In the political sphere, government officials who held opposing beliefs, typically progressive left-leaning beliefs, were also targeted by White supremacists. The kidnapping plot of Michigan governor Gretchen Whitmer and Virginia governor Ralph Northam is one of the more recent examples.
Late last year, Homeland Security Secretary Chad Walsh stated, "As Secretary, I am concerned about any form of violent extremism. However, I am particularly concerned about White supremacist violent extremists who have been exceptionally lethal in their abhorrent, targeted attacks in recent years."
After this most recent bulletin was issued, Brian Harrell, a former DHS Assistant Secretary shared, "While the DHS alert said absolutely nothing new, there's value in soliciting the public's assistance in identifying and alerting authorities about suspicious activity. The watchful public will always be the best 'eyes and ears' for law enforcement."
