In a briefing about their new Terrorism Advisory Bulletin on Wednesday, a senior DHS official issued a warning concerning Americans with violent extremist ideologies. Domestic terrorists who pose a “persistent and lethal threat,” particularly to migrants, the Jewish & the LGBTQ+ community. The warning comes 11 days after a man in Colorado Springs killed five people and injured 18 others in a massacre that targeted an LGBTQ+ establishment.
DHS warned that the threat of domestic terrorism has been growing in recent years while highlighting that foreign terrorism threats aren’t as persistent as they were before. As Al Qaeda & the Islamic State pose less of a threat to Americans, domestic extremists have been inspired by recent attacks, including the Colorado Springs massacre, and may feel emboldened to act, DHS warns. They also emphasized the “enduring threat” to the Jewish community as anti-semitism seemingly is on the rise, adding that celebrities spreading conspiracy theories only ignites violence.
The bulletin also states that changes in immigration policy or an increase in migrants entering the U.S. may lead to an increase in violence from right-wing extremists. Due to a recent court order, the U.S. will have to end its migratory Covid-19 restrictions on Dec. 21. This will allow more migrants to enter the U.S. to claim asylum.