Sign up for The Guardian’s First Thing newsletter
The U.S. Department of Homeland Security on Wednesday issued a national terrorism bulletin warning of the persistent potential for violence by people motivated by anti-government sentiment following the election of Joe Biden.
The bulletin suggests that the uproar of a crowd of Donald Trump supporters at the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6 may encourage extremists and pave the way for further attacks.
DHS did not cite any specific plots, but noted “a more threatening environment throughout the United States” that it believes will “persist” for weeks.
It is not uncommon for the federal government to warn local law enforcement through bulletins about the possibility of violence related to a specific event or date, such as the July 4 holiday. But this particular bulletin, issued through the department’s national terrorism advisory system, is notable because it effectively places the Biden administration in the politically charged debate on how to describe or characterize acts motivated by political ideology. and suggests that he sees violence aimed at nullifying 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 anti-government grievances, including Covid-19 restrictions, 2020 election results and the use of force to part of the police. It also highlights racially motivated acts of violence, such as the 2019 commotion targeting Latinos 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 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,” he said. the newsletter.
A DHS statement accompanying the newsletter noted the potential for violence from “a wide range of ideologically motivated actors.” He also noted violent riots in the “last days,” an apparent reference to events in Portland, Oregon, related to anarchist groups.
“The domestic terrorist attack on our Capitol earlier this month illuminated a threat we have been facing for years,” said Congressman Bennie Thompson, a Mississippi Democrat who chairs the security committee. National Chamber of Deputies. “I am pleased to see that DHS fully recognizes the threat posed by violent and right-wing extremists and is making efforts to communicate this threat to the American people.”