An intelligence assessment released to law enforcement last week claims news of recession, the election of an African American president, rumors of new gun restrictions and the inability of veterans to reintegrate create fertile ground for radicalizing and recruiting right-wing extremists.
The Department of Homeland Security is warning law enforcement agencies that recent news is helping “right-wing extremist groups” recruit new members and could lead to violence, and warns about the possible recruitment and radicalization of returning veterans.
DHS’ Office of Intelligence and Analysis issued an intelligence assessment last week that said it has no specific information that domestic right-wing terrorists are currently planning acts of violence, but right-wing extremists may be gaining new recruits by playing on fears about the recession and the election of the first African American president. The office called them “unique drivers for right-wing radicalization and recruitment.”
“Right-wing extremists have capitalized on the election of the first African American president, and are focusing their efforts to recruit new members, mobilize existing supporters and broaden their scope and appeal through propaganda, but they have not yet turned to attack planning,” the assessment reads.
“The current economic and political climate has some similarities to the 1990s when right-wing extremism experienced a resurgence fueled largely by an economic recession, criticism about the outsourcing of jobs and the perceived threat to U.S. power and sovereignty by other foreign powers.,” it continues.
The report also suggests that returning veterans are attractive recruits for right-wing groups looking for “combat skills and experience” so as to boost their “violent capabilities.” It adds that new restrictions on gun ownership and the difficulty of veterans to reintegrate into their communities “could lead to the potential emergence of terrorist groups or lone wolf extremists capable of carrying out violent attacks.”
“Proposed imposition of firearms restrictions and weapons bans likely would attract new members into the ranks of right-wing extremist groups … The high volume of purchases and stockpiling of weapons and ammunition by right-wing extremists in anticipation of restrictions and bans in some parts of the country continue to be a primary concern to law enforcement,” the report says.
I posted a comment yesterday regarding this issue.
It has nothing to do with the 90s; what it has to do is with this administration trying to squelch the complaining and organizing by people who are fed up, in only 2 months, of the spending orgy of OUR tax dollars, without even reading the bills that they pass. The time has come to get rid of as many of the current congress as possible, by PEACEFUL means, which began with the TEA parties yesterday.
Sure you have the right wing extremists, but they are few and far between except in the mind of the Left, who want everyone to do and think as they do. Let’s have a study of the Left and how they support illegal immigration, at great cost to us taxpayers, and also support Islamic terrorism and terrorism from illegals, mostly from Mexico.
Be sure your reports, and those who report, are fair and not just a crusade to shut up those with whom you/they disagree.
I subscribe to your daily newsletter, and as an American, will do everything in my power to protect my country, but you are WAY off base on this issue as proposed.
Im a Vet. this is [edited]
I agree with R McClain in the above post. This stance on the part of Homeland Security looks like an attempt to squelch the views of a large segment of the population who do not agree with what our government is doing by labeling them as potential domestic terrorists. This is an affront to all who abide by the laws of this nation and an attempt to curtail our 1st Amendment rights. Part of the strength of this nation – at least in the past – has come from dialog and debate between people of differing viewpoints. We cannot afford to loose this or our nation will no longer be a democracy but become like the repressive regimes of nations like N. Korea, China, etc.
I am at a lost for words on this. This is NOT the United States that I love. I cannot believe that this administration has nothing to do but to send out notices to our local law enforcement officers to be on the look out for people who are law abiding people who love life, and believe all people are created equal. Who want to work, provide for our loved ones and protect our freedom. We wont to protect our constitution and disagree with those who would distroy our constitution. This is the lowest of the low.
Yvonne Sites
Midland, Tx
I think much has been made about nothing, here. If you review the historic record, you will find that the typical knee-jerk liberals also feared returning “trained killers” from WW2, etc. The sad thing is these idiots used to be in confined to bleading hearts in Church auxillaries and the morons in the 4th Estate who brought us the way the news. The cretins now seem to have seeped into the DHS ground floor down to the subterranean chamber where they warehouse domestic intelligence threat analysis center of DHS. It is not the sole element of this report that troubles some. It is widely reported that the advisory warns law enforcement about the anti-abortion, states rights advocates, persons or groups opposed to illeagal/undocumneted alien amnesty, etc as right wing extermists.The feds under Clinton, shook this same tree in the 1990’s just to see howm many nuts would fall out. However, I am a white, straight, tax paying, church going, “former” gun owning hunter, 23 year veteran of the Army Reserve. My church (Roman Catholic) is the leading pro-life advocate in the world. I am opposed to anyone breaking the laws of the nation including undocumented persons living in the U.S. (Though I have worked with many Brazilians with questionable documnets/visas in my former employment. They were by far some of the most decent America loving people I know.) I also belong to that detested evil group of “stupid white men” known as the GOP. Does this mean I am a Right Wing Extermist too? Dear Secetary Nepolitano, please advise me here so I can correct the error of my ways!!!! Now back to my cup of tea… (P.S. Please write you congress critters today and ask them to please stop this kind of inflammatory nonsense. Both our new President Obama and the good men and women at DHS have enough real problems to focus on. This foolishness only stirs up the paranoia among otherwise law abiding Americans.)
Regarding the e-mail alert titled: “Homeland Security Warns of Rise in Right-Wing Extremism” that was sent out two times one day after the other. We are appalled and offended to read the presumptuous accusations that our military and law abiding citizens are perceived in such a general manner with no evidence. The writer of this article is a terrorist threat to this country and is of grave concern to the citizens of this country that is ruled by the people for the people. We demand the termination of the person and persons involved in the writing and distribution of this article as a traitor.
As the son of a WWII silver & Bronze Star vet and FBI Agent. As a vet myself 72-76 and in Law Enforcement for 23 years myself, am aghast at this report. GEE I guess I am now suspect for I am also a 26 year member of the NRA as was my Dad. If he was alive today he would be screaming at the TV. I believe as others have posted, that this is a means to stomp on legal dissent which complains about the direction the country has been taken in such a short time. Apparently anyone who disagrees with what is going on is now a “RIGHT WING EXTREMIST” of one group or another.I suppose by the meer act as registering as a Republican or Conservative now puts you into the watch group.
What tripe. One can only pray for a single 4 year term.
I never pictured myself a radical or a threat; never saw it on my discharge papers after having served 21 years on active duty either. What’s more, I don’t feel my conservative points of view with respect to God & Country warrant closer scrutiny for fear I might be exceptionally drawn toward some clandestine call to “burn Rome”.
For those who feel they are being singled out by memos such as this, perhaps you’re reading too much into it. What would be the reaction if turning around six months from now (following another 911 or Oklahoma City) to learn that the indications were there for some time but never called out by DHS?
For those issuing memos such as this, perhaps a little more consideration should be given to the wording. Ever consider just simply stating that “indicators” show a possibility of increased domestic terrorism and letting it go at that. Your words cut deep to many who have served this nation well in its times of need. And if, by chance, there is evidence that supports future action to protect the people save it for the post analysis.
Have you got the bankers under surveillence? Just kidding …… of course.
SADDLEWOOD
This represents an arrogant abuse of power and lack of understanding of American democracy. This all will be dealt with shortly …. at the ballot box!
Sounds like 3/4 of the nation. Very sad when the government is afraid of us and supports anarchists and environmentalists who do destroy property on a fairly regular basis. I guess “right wingers” will now be on the terror list above jihadist groups. Maybe the government should tattoo numbers on us to keep track.
How dare they write such garbage.