White House unveils new strategy to counter domestic terrorism 'laser-focused on violence'

nbcnews.com ^ | June 15, 2021 | Ken Dilanian

[ransomnote]

WASHINGTON — The Biden administration on Tuesday rolled out what it said is a new strategy to counter domestic terrorism: a series of changes to elevate the federal government's response to an urgent problem, with renewed efforts to deter, detect and prosecute those who would use violence in pursuit of political aims.

SNIP

In a statement Tuesday morning, President Joe Biden said, "[O]n my first day in office I directed my national security team to confront the rise in domestic terrorism with the necessary resources and resolve. Today, I am releasing the first-ever National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism. 

SNIP

The new strategy is being released just after NBC News obtained a new, unclassified FBI intelligence bulletin highlighting the risk that adherents of the conspiracy theory QAnon may commit political violence.

"The participation of some domestic violent extremists who are also self-identified QAnon adherents in the violent siege of the U.S. Capitol on 6 January underscores how the current environment likely will continue to act as a catalyst for some to begin accepting the legitimacy of violent action," the bulletin says, noting that the FBI has arrested more than 20 self-identified QAnon adherents who participated in the Capitol riot.

SNIP

"We are not targeting speech. We are not attacking speech," Mayorkas said. "We are working with the social media companies to be able to better identify the false narratives, to be able to identify disinformation and misinformation and really educate the American public."

SNIP

 The Department of Homeland Security, meanwhile, has already begun mining public social media posts for intelligence, as first reported last month by NBC News.

Part of the prevention strategy includes $77 million in grants to state and local governments. And officials say they will work with social media and tech companies to combat disinformation and extremism online.

SNIP

"The U.S. Government will also work to find ways to counter the polarization often fueled by disinformation, misinformation, and dangerous conspiracy theories online, supporting an information environment that fosters healthy democratic discourse," it says, without explaining how that might happen.

MORE AT LINK

[ohioman]

I will be waiting

[Openurmind]

Stand strong... Just remember since November 3rd they do not play fair or by the rules anymore. I personally have no concern for myself... But I have a wife, kids, and grand kids to worry about in all this.

[ohioman]

I understand. It is always better to use your head than your heart.