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The US Department of Homeland Security issued a national terrorism bulletin on Wednesday warning of the persistent potential for violence from individuals motivated by anti-government sentiments after the election of Joe Biden.
The bulletin suggests that the riots by a crowd of Donald Trump supporters in the US Capitol on January 6 may embolden extremists and set the stage for further attacks.
DHS did not cite any specific plot, but pointed to “a more threatening environment in the United States” that it believes will “persist” for weeks.
It is not uncommon for the federal government to warn local authorities through newsletters about the possibility of violence related to a particular event or date, such as the July 4 holiday. But this particular bulletin, issued through the department’s national terrorism advisory system, is notable in that it effectively places the Biden administration in the politically charged debate over how to describe or characterize acts motivated by political ideology and suggests that it sees violence. destined to reverse the elections. similar to terrorism.
The wording of the document also suggests that national security officials see a common thread between recent violence over the past year motivated by grievances against the government, including Covid-19 restrictions, the results of the 2020 elections, and the use of force by the police. It also highlights acts of racially motivated violence, such as the 2019 anti-Latino rampage in El Paso, Texas, as well as the threat posed by extremists motivated by foreign terrorist organizations.
“The information suggests that some ideologically motivated violent extremists with objections to the exercise of government authority and the presidential transition, as well as other perceived grievances fueled by false narratives, may continue to mobilize to incite or commit violence,” the bulletin said.
A DHS statement accompanying the bulletin noted the potential for violence from “a wide range of ideologically motivated actors.” He also pointed to violent riots in “the last days,” an apparent reference to events in Portland, Oregon, linked to anarchist groups.
“The domestic terrorism attack on our Capitol earlier this month shed light on a threat that has been in our faces for years,” said Congressman Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat who is chairman of the National Security Committee of the United States. the camera. “I am pleased to see that DHS fully recognizes the threat posed by violent right-wing extremists and is making efforts to communicate that threat to the American people.”
