Domestic, Home-Grown Terrorism "The Worst Threat" say Politicians and Media

"Racially motivated violent extremism, specifically of the sort that advocates for the superiority of the white race, is a persistent, evolving threat. It’s the biggest chunk of our racially motivated violent extremism cases for sure, and racially motivated violent extremism is the biggest chunk of our domestic terrorism portfolio."^[1] Wray noted that domestic terrorism investigations had doubled since he took office in 2017 to over 2,000, while investigations into white supremacists had tripled.^[2]

"The top threat we face from domestic violent extremists stems from those we identify as racially/ethnically motivated violent extremists [who] were the primary source of ideologically motivated lethal incidents and violence in 2018 and 2019 and have been considered the most lethal of all domestic extremists since 2001."^[3]

"A majority of the domestic terrorism cases that we’ve investigated are motivated by some version of what you might call white supremacist violence."^[4]

The joint assessment formally concluded: "The greatest terrorism threat to the Homeland we face today is posed by lone offenders, often radicalized online, who look to attack soft targets with easily accessible weapons." It found that 2019 represented the most lethal year for domestic violent extremist attacks since 1995, with 32 deaths—24 of which occurred during attacks by white supremacist extremists.^[5]

Director Wray testified before Congress on FBI oversight matters, addressing the domestic terrorism threat landscape.^[6]

The first-ever DHS comprehensive threat assessment stated: "Among DVEs, racially and ethnically motivated violent extremists—specifically white supremacist extremists (WSEs)—will remain the most persistent and lethal threat in the Homeland."^[7]

Acting Secretary Chad Wolf wrote: "I am particularly concerned about white supremacist violent extremists who have been exceptionally lethal in their abhorrent, targeted attacks in recent years."^[8]

Statistics showed 39 of 48 deaths from domestic violent extremist attacks in 2018-2019 were caused by white supremacist extremists.^[9]

The draft stated: "We judge that ideologically-motivated lone offenders and small groups will pose the greatest terrorist threat to the Homeland through 2021, with white supremacist extremists presenting the most lethal threat."^[10]

"Terrorism, both foreign and domestic, remains a top threat to the Homeland." DHS has designated domestic violent extremism as a "National Priority Area" within its Homeland Security Grant Program every year from 2021-2024.^[11][12]

Howard University Commencement, May 13, 2023: "White supremacy … is the single most dangerous terrorist threat in our homeland. And I’m not just saying this because I’m at a Black HBCU. I say this wherever I go."^[13]

Tulsa Race Massacre Anniversary, June 2021: "According to the intelligence community, terrorism from White supremacy is the most lethal threat to the homeland today. Not ISIS, not al Qaeda—White supremacists."^[14]

National Defense University, May 23, 2013: "The most deadly attacks on the homeland over the last eight years have not been carried out by operatives with sophisticated networks or equipment directed from abroad. They’ve been carried out by homegrown and largely isolated individuals who were radicalized online."

Responded to the Oklahoma City bombing (April 1995) by establishing the Domestic Terrorism Executive Committee and calling for Americans to "speak out against the hatred, the bigotry and the violence in this land."^[15]

"In the FBI’s view, the top domestic violent extremist threat comes from racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists, specifically those who advocated for the superiority of the white race."^[16][17]

When asked if white supremacy extremists remain the most persistent lethal threat, responded: "I do believe they do at this time, Mr. Chairman." He stated: "The greatest terrorism-related threat that we face in the homeland is the threat of domestic violent extremism. The most prominent threat is the threat of White supremacists."^[18]

"White supremacist extremists, from a lethality standpoint over the last two years, particularly when you look at 2018 and 2019, are certainly the most persistent and lethal threat when we talk about domestic violent extremists."^[19]

The Office of the Director of National Intelligence released its first comprehensive interagency assessment on domestic violent extremism, produced jointly by ODNI, DOJ, and DHS with contributions from CIA and DIA:

"The IC assesses that racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists (RMVEs) and militia violent extremists (MVEs) present the most lethal DVE threats, with RMVEs most likely to conduct mass-casualty attacks against civilians and MVEs typically targeting law enforcement and government personnel and facilities."^[20]

The assessment noted: "US RMVEs who promote the superiority of the white race are the DVE actors with the most persistent and concerning transnational connections."^[21]

The first-ever such strategy stated: "Domestic terrorism…​ has evolved into the most urgent terrorism threat the United States faces today. The two most lethal elements of today’s domestic terrorism threat are (1) racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists who advocate for the superiority of the white race and (2) anti-government or anti-authority violent extremists."^[22]

June 2020 Report: Found right-wing attacks accounted for 57% of all terrorist incidents from 1994-2020, concluding "the most significant threat likely comes from white supremacists." CSIS reported that right-wing extremists perpetrated over 90% of attacks between January and May 2020.^[23]

Additional CSIS Analysis: "The War Comes Home: The Evolution of Domestic Terrorism in the United States"^[24] and analysis of the first U.S. national strategy for countering domestic terrorism.^[25]

Documented 67 domestic terror incidents by right-wing extremists resulting in 58 deaths—"more deaths from such attacks than any of the previous six-year periods since the Oklahoma City bombing." White supremacists were responsible for 45% of attacks and all but five deaths.^[26]

In a State Department-sponsored study, concluded "REMVEs are among the most lethal domestic violent extremists, and they are the most likely to commit mass-casualty attacks."^[27]

Documented 1,371 hate and antigovernment extremist groups operating across the country, with CEO Margaret Huang stating: "After years of courting politicians and chasing power, hard-right groups are now fully infiltrating our politics."^[28]

Analyst Rashawn Ray wrote that "roughly 75% of domestic terrorist acts are committed by right-wing extremists and 75% of them are committed by white nationalists and white supremacists."^[29][30]

Hosted discussions on implementation of the countering domestic terrorism strategy with senior DHS officials.^[31]

Announced ban on white nationalism and white separatism. Facebook’s public policy director Neil Potts testified to Congress (April 2019): "White supremacists are not allowed on the platform under any circumstances."^[32][33]

The Treasury Department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) identified domestic terrorist financing as a national priority. PayPal announced investigations into how domestic terrorists use their platform to fund criminal activities.^[35]

"Domestic terrorism incidents have soared to new highs in the United States, driven chiefly by white-supremacist, anti-Muslim and anti-government extremists on the far right." Data showed right-wing extremists involved in 267 plots or attacks and 91 fatalities since 2015, versus 66 incidents and 19 deaths from far-left actors.^[36]

"White supremacists remain deadliest US terror threat, Homeland Security report says."^[37]

Covered FBI Director Wray’s testimony that "white supremacists are responsible for the most lethal attacks over the last decade."^[38]

"Far-right violence a growing threat and law enforcement’s top domestic terrorism concern."^[39]

"Confronting Violent White Supremacy (Part VI): Examining the Biden Administration’s Counterterrorism Strategy" featured testimony from FBI officials on the domestic terrorism threat.^[40]

Published reports on intelligence coordination on domestic terrorism and violent extremism, providing background and issues for Congress.^[41]

The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act and related legislation have been introduced to address the threat.^[42]