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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday issued a national terrorism bulletin warning of the lingering potential for violence from people motivated by anti-government sentiments following the election of Joe Biden.
The bulletin suggests that a riot of a crowd of Donald Trump supporters on the U.S. Capitol on January 6 could embolden extremists and set the stage for further attacks.
DHS did not cite specific plots, but pointed to “an environment of heightened threat across the United States” which it says will “persist” for weeks.
It is not uncommon for the federal government to warn local law enforcement through bulletins of the prospect of violence related to a particular event or date, such as the July 4th holiday. But this particular newsletter, released through the department’s National Terrorism Advisory System, is notable because it effectively places the Biden administration in the politically charged debate over how to describe or characterize acts motivated by the political ideology and suggests that he sees violence aimed at overthrowing the election. like terrorism.
The wording of the document also suggests that national security officials see a link between recent violence over the past year, motivated by anti-government grievances, including the Covid-19 restrictions, the 2020 election results and the use of force by the police. It also identifies racially motivated acts of violence such as the 2019 rampage against Latinos in El Paso, Texas, as well as the threat posed by extremists motivated by foreign terrorist organizations.
“Reports suggest that some ideologically motivated violent extremists opposed to the exercise of government authority and the presidential transition, as well as other perceived grievances fueled by false narratives, may continue to rally to incite or commit violence, ”the bulletin said.
A DHS statement accompanying the newsletter highlighted the potential for violence from “a wide range of ideologically motivated actors.” He also noted violent riots in the “past few days,” an apparent reference to events in Portland, Oregon, linked to anarchist groups.
“The national terrorist attack on our Capitol earlier this month shed light on a threat that has been before our eyes for years,” said Congressman Bennie Thompson, a Democrat from Mississippi who chairs the committee on internal security of the House. “I am pleased to see that DHS fully recognizes the threat posed by violent right-wing extremists and is making efforts to communicate this threat to the American people.”
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