A report just declassified by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says rightwing extremists may be gaining new recruits by playing on their fears about
several emergent issues, such as the economic downturn and the election of the first
African American president.
Key findings of the report include:
- Threats from white supremacist and violent antigovernment groupsduring 2009 have been largely rhetorical and have not indicated plans to carryout violent acts. Nevertheless, the consequences of a prolonged economicdownturn – including real estate foreclosures, unemployment, and an inabilityto obtain credit – could create a fertile recruiting environment for rightwingextremists and even result in confrontations between such groups andgovernment authorities similar to those in the past.
- Rightwing extremists have capitalized on the election of the firstAfrican American president and are focusing their efforts to recruit newmembers, mobilize existing supporters, and broaden their scope and appealthrough propaganda, but they have not yet turned to attack planning.
- The current economic and political climate has some similarities to the 1990s when rightwing extremism experienced a resurgence fueled largely by aneconomic recession, criticism about the outsourcing of jobs, and the perceived threat to U.S. power and sovereignty by other foreign powers.
- During the 1990s, these issues contributed to the growth in thenumber of domestic rightwing terrorist and extremist groups and an increase inviolent acts targeting government facilities, law enforcement officers, banks,and infrastructure sectors.
- Growth of these groups subsided in reaction to increasedgovernment scrutiny as a result of the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing anddisrupted plots, improvements in the economy, and the continued U.S. standingas the preeminent world power.
- The possible passage of new restrictions on firearms and the return ofmilitary veterans facing significant challenges reintegrating into their communitiescould lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremistscapable of carrying out violent attacks.
- Proposed imposition of firearms restrictions and weapons banslikely would attract new members into the ranks of rightwing extremist groups,as well as potentially spur some of them to begin planning and training forviolence against the government. The high volume of purchases andstockpiling of weapons and ammunition by rightwing extremists in anticipationof restrictions and bans in some parts of the country continue to be a primaryconcern to law enforcement.
- Returning veterans possess combat skills and experience that areattractive to rightwing extremists. DHS/I&A is concerned that rightwingextremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order toboost their violent capabilities.
The report has been denounced by some conservatives.
In response to this criticism, DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano issues the following statement April 15:
The primary mission of this department is to prevent terrorist attacks on our nation. The document on right-wing extremism sent last week by this department’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis is one in an ongoing series of assessments to provide situational awareness to state, local and tribal law enforcement agencies on the phenomenon and trends of violent radicalization in the United States. I was briefed on the general topic, which is one that struck a nerve as someone personally involved in the Timothy McVeigh prosecution.
Let me be very clear: we monitor the risks of violent extremism taking root here in the United States. We don’t have the luxury of focusing our efforts on one group; we must protect the country from terrorism whether foreign or homegrown, and regardless of the ideology that motivates its violence.
We are on the lookout for criminal and terrorist activity but we do not – nor will we ever – monitor ideology or political beliefs. We take seriously our responsibility to protect the civil rights and liberties of the American people, including subjecting our activities to rigorous oversight from numerous internal and external sources.
I am aware of the letter from American Legion National Commander Rehbein, and my staff has already contacted him to set up a meeting next week once I return from travel. I will tell him face-to-face that we honor veterans at DHS and employ thousands across the department, up to and including the Deputy Secretary.
As the department responsible for protecting the homeland, DHS will continue to work with its state and local partners to prevent and protect against the potential threat to the United States associated with any rise in violent extremist activity.
To view the full report, click here.
