WASHINGTON (AP) – The Department of Homeland Security has issued a national terrorism bulletin Wednesday warns of the possibility of continued violence by people motivated by anti-government sentiment following President Joe Biden’s election, suggesting the January 6 riot at the Capitol could encourage extremists and set the scene for additional attacks.
The department did not cite a specific threat, but pointed to an increased threat environment across the United States “which he says will ‘continue’ since Biden took office on January 20.
‘Information suggests that some ideologically-motivated violent extremists with objections to the exercise of governmental authority and the presidential transition, as well as other alleged grievances fueled by false narratives, may continue to mobilize to incite or commit violence,’ said the bulletin.
No ideological or political commitment was mentioned, but rather a broader warning was given about ‘individuals frustrated with the exercise of governmental authority and the presidential transition, as well as other alleged grievances and ideological causes fueled by false narratives.’
DHS said these individuals can mobilize a wide range of ideologically-motivated actors to incite or commit violence.
It is not uncommon for the federal government to warn local law enforcers through bulletins and advice about the prospect of violence related to a specific date or event, such as on July 4th.
But this particular bulletin, issued by the department’s national terrorism advisory system, is notable because it effectively places the Biden government in the politically charged debate on how to describe or characterize actions motivated by political ideology and suggest that they see violence aimed at the election as similar to terrorism.
The wording of the single-page document suggests that national security officials see a connecting thread between recent violence in recent years, motivated by grievances against the government, whether over COVID-19 restrictions, the 2020 election results or the use of the police. It also singles out racially motivated acts of violence, such as the 2019 rampage aimed at Spaniards in Texas, as well as the threat of extremists motivated by foreign terrorist organizations.
The warning comes at a tense time following the riot at the Capitol by supporters of then-President Donald Trump who wanted to reverse the presidential election. DHS also takes note of violent riots in ‘recent days’, an apparent reference to events in Portland, Oregon, linked to anarchist groups.
The warning was issued by Acting Homeland Security Minister David Pekoske. Biden’s nominee for the cabinet post, Alejandro Mayorkas, has not been confirmed by the Senate.