The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the formation of a unit to combat domestic terrorism just days after the anniversary of the 2021 riot at the Capitol.
A DOJ official told the Senate Judiciary Committee that the unit involves a group of attorneys whose main focus will be the domestic terrorism threat.
It comes as a top FBI official also warned lawmakers of a “persistent and evolving” threat of violent extremism within the United States.
“We face an elevated threat from domestic violent extremists – that is, individuals in the United States who seek to commit violent criminal acts in furtherance of domestic social or political goals,” Assistant Attorney General Matthew Olsen told the Senate Judiciary Committee.
“Domestic violent extremists are often motivated by a mix of ideologies and personal grievances,” added Olsen. “We have seen a growing threat from those who are motivated by racial animus, as well as those who ascribe to extremist anti-government and anti-authority ideologies.”
Justice Department forms new domestic terrorism unit https://t.co/XhyMlkG1LP
— CNN Politics (@CNNPolitics) January 11, 2022
RELATED: Biden Unveils Plan To Combat ‘Domestic Terrorism’ And ‘Insider Threats’ In The Military
Justice Department Forms Domestic Terrorism Unit
Almost as an aside, Olsen added, “We also remain vigilant to the persistent threat from international terrorist groups, particularly al-Qaida and ISIS.”
What a relief.
Jill Sanborn, executive assistant director of the FBI’s national security branch, told senators at the same hearing that the domestic terror threat was “persistent and evolving.”
According to Sanborn, the two most prevalent categories of domestic violent extremism today are racist extremism and ‘anti-government extremism.’
“The FBI considers White supremacist extremists and anti-government extremists, specifically anti-government militias, to be the most lethal threats,” CNBC reports.
This will surely have no negative repercussions https://t.co/9rQTbVzmHZ
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) January 12, 2022
RELATED: Merrick Garland: ‘No Higher Priority’ For The DOJ Than To Investigate The January 6 Capitol Riot
No Bigger Priority
The DOJ announcing a new domestic terrorism unit comes just days after Attorney General Merrick Garland declared the department has “no higher priority” than to investigate the Capitol riot on January 6th, 2021.
“Those involved must be held accountable, and there is no higher priority for us at the Department of Justice,” he proudly stated.
Additionally, Garland revealed the arrests of “more than 725 defendants in nearly all 50 states and the District of Columbia for their roles in the January 6 attack.”
AG Merrick Garland says Justice Department has ‘no higher priority’ than investigating Jan. 6 Capitol riothttps://t.co/uQTWwrkjW5
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 5, 2022
The Biden administration has had a nearly singular focus on investigating those involved in the Capitol riot, whether deeply involved or simply in attendance. Of particular interest has been the ‘domestic terrorism’ mindset that allegedly led to that day.
Last June, President Biden announced a new strategy to combat ‘domestic terrorism’ in the United States, which will include training for retired service members to avoid radicalization and seeks to root out “insider threats” in the military.
This past February, Biden referenced “studies” that had begun which purportedly show “the impact of former military, former police officers, on the growth of white supremacy in some of these groups.”
The Biden domestic terrorism plan also seeks – perhaps chillingly – to control “misinformation” being shared on the internet and social media.
“The U.S. Government will also work to find ways to counter the polarization often fueled by disinformation, misinformation, and dangerous conspiracy theories online, supporting an information environment that fosters healthy democratic discourse,” a White House fact-sheet reads.
