The Surge in domestic terror threat post Hill attack: Homeland Security warns

Last updated on February 6th, 2021 at 08:44 am

US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has issued a ‘national terrorism bulletin’ warning of the heightened risk of domestic terror incidents after the January 6 riots at Capitol Hill. The security chiefs fear that attacks on Capitol led by Trump supporters may have established a platform for extremists. 

The advisory issued warned of “a threat from individuals frustrated with the exercise of a government authority.” 

DHS though did not lay out any specific plots in knowledge, it underlined a “heightened threat environment across the United States” which might persist for weeks to come.

The warning issued by DHS is not something out of place or unusual. Such advisories are issued around historically significant dates like the 4^th July holiday. But this warning bulletin issued in the bracket of ‘terrorism’ lays out Biden administration into a rather controversial debate of viewing election-related violence as equivalent to “domestic terrorism”. 

The bulletin further adds, “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.” This further links recent Capitol Hill riots to the last year’s protests and grievances, from Covid-19 restrictions, election results, and use of police force. 

Congressman Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat, and chair of the House homeland security committee said, “I am glad to see that DHS fully recognizes the threat posed by violent, right-wing extremists and is taking efforts to communicate that threat to the American people.” 

After being banned by Twitter and Facebook, many extremist groups who attacked Capitol have moved on to the social networking app Telegram where they have been lauded as ‘freedom fighters and heroes’. The chat streams on Telegram are reportedly full of conspiracy theories, Q Anon plots, anti-semitism and support for former President Donald Trump. The many ‘true believers’ think that Trump has won the election, something incited continuously by Trump himself. This had led to breach and violence at Hill for which Trump is in for impeachment trial with article ‘incitement for insurrection’.