US President Joe Biden ordered regulation enforcement and intelligence officers to analyze the chance of home terrorism following the assault on the US Capitol, his spokeswoman mentioned on Friday.
The Office of the Director of National Intelligence will lead the investigation in coordination with the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security, White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki mentioned.
“We want fact-based analysis, upon which we can shape policy,” Psaki advised reporters in a briefing.
Tens of 1000’s of National Guard troops stay in Washington weeks after a violent mob of Donald Trump supporters stormed the US Capitol in an assault that left 5 lifeless, together with one police officer.
The nationwide intelligence workplace was created after the September 11, 2001 assaults on the World Trade Center with a objective of thwarting worldwide terrorism. The reality they’re main the investigation might recommend that US authorities are analyzing tips on how to pivot in direction of a give attention to violence from extremists at house.
Wake of US Capitol assaults
The investigation can be used as a basis to develop coverage
“The January 6 assault on the Capitol and the tragic deaths and destruction that occurred underscored what we all know: The rise of domestic violent extremism is a serious and growing national security threat,” Psaki mentioned.
Representative Adam Schiff, the Democratic chair of the House Intelligence Committee, mentioned it was “critical” that the Biden administration seemed to be prioritizing the specter of home terrorism. “In particular, far-right, white supremacist extremism, nurtured on online platforms, has become one of the most dangerous threats to our nation,” Schiff mentioned.
Addressing home threats
The assaults on the Capitol, which led to Trump’s second impeachment and upcoming Senate trial, raised questions on whether or not a federal authorities nationwide safety equipment that for many years has moved aggressively to fight threats from overseas terror teams and their followers in America is sufficiently geared up to deal with the specter of homegrown home extremism.
It’s a difficulty that has flared repeatedly through the years with totally different assaults — together with a capturing rampage at a Pittsburgh synagogue and December’s Christmas Day suicide-bombing in Nashville. Recent occasions have as soon as once more induced renewed debate over whether or not a regulation particular to home terrorism is required.
Current FBI Director Chris Wray mentioned final fall that, lately, probably the most deadly violence has come from anti-government activists, equivalent to anarchists and right-wing militia members.
