Returning to Chicago, U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, along with federal agents and a film crew, faced criticism from local officials for aggressive tactics and allegedly indiscriminate arrests without warrants, turning immigration operations into a spectacle. The Department of Homeland Security has previously utilized filming for political gain, mirroring a trend under the Trump administration, where the Justice Department has encouraged domestic terrorism charges against those who “dox” law enforcement officers. This broad definition, which includes publishing information identifying officers, is seen as an attempt to intimidate those who record DHS operations, even though it is often protected by the First Amendment. This could potentially extend to the DHS’s own media teams, while also raising constitutional concerns about selective enforcement based on political alignment.
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Attorney General Pam Bondi has instructed the FBI to implement a cash reward system for information leading to the arrest of leaders of “domestic terrorist organizations,” a definition now encompassing groups associated with “radical gender ideology,” according to a leaked December 4 memo. This directive operationalizes a September National Security Presidential Memorandum, prioritizing investigations and prosecutions tied to an expanded definition of domestic terrorism. The memo flags ideologies such as adherence to “radical gender ideology,” along with positions favoring mass migration and anti-capitalism. Critics argue that the language targets LGBTQ+ communities, potentially encouraging informants to report on peaceful activists based on political affiliations rather than evidence of violence. The memo also orders federal agencies to provide intelligence on “Antifa-aligned” groups, compile a list of potentially terroristic organizations, and publicize the domestic-terrorism tip line.
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A leaked Justice Department memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi directs the FBI to establish a cash reward system targeting “Antifa-aligned extremists” and those promoting “radical gender ideology” for domestic terrorism investigations. The memo outlines priorities that diverge from addressing the far-right extremism linked to the majority of domestic terrorist incidents, and instead focuses on viewpoints related to immigration and anti-American sentiment. These actions align with a trend of shifting blame away from far-right actors, despite data demonstrating their significant role in domestic terrorism, including an increase in attacks in recent years. Furthermore, the memo’s focus on leftist groups and gender ideology appears to follow a pattern of downplaying far-right extremism, as evidenced by related events and the removal of data that contradicted the framing.
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In testimony before the Senate Armed Services Committee, General Gregory Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command, stated he would execute orders to attack designated terrorist organizations within the U.S. if he had no concerns about the lawfulness of the order. This revelation comes amid reports of the military conducting extrajudicial killings of alleged “narco-terrorists” in the Caribbean and eastern Pacific, raising concerns about the legal justification for such actions. The White House and Justice Department have refused to rule out summary executions of Americans, with the Justice Department announcing arrests of a “far-left, anti-government, domestic terror cell” and a directive from the President to target U.S. progressive groups. The administration’s rhetoric, coupled with the executive order to root out domestic terrorist organizations, raises concerns about the potential for military action within U.S. borders and the suppression of dissent.
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The Trump administration’s use of lethal force against alleged members of “designated terrorist organizations” in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean raises concerns about expanding executive power. The administration’s refusal to clarify if similar actions could occur within the U.S., particularly against groups designated as “domestic terrorist organizations” under NSPM-7, fuels fears of extrajudicial killings. Experts and lawmakers warn that the broad application of this term lacks legal basis and could be used to suppress dissent. Critics highlight the dangers of labeling actions such as drug trafficking as armed conflict to justify lethal actions.
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During a congressional hearing on Thursday, an FBI official identified the anti-fascist movement, Antifa, as the most significant domestic terrorism threat facing the United States. Michael Glasheen, the operations director of the FBI’s National Security Branch, struggled to provide concrete details about Antifa’s structure and membership, citing the “fluid” nature of the group and ongoing investigations. Despite criticism from committee members, an FBI spokesperson defended Glasheen’s statements, emphasizing the agency’s efforts to pursue violent actors associated with Antifa. The hearing also highlighted partisan divides, with discussions including immigration policies and vetting standards.
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During a House Homeland Security Committee hearing, FBI operations director Michael Glasheen identified antifa as the most immediate violent domestic terrorist threat. However, when pressed for specifics, Glasheen struggled to answer basic questions about the organization’s structure, location, or membership size. This prompted criticism from committee members, who questioned the validity of the assessment and accused the administration of manufacturing a threat. Observers and commentators were stunned by Glasheen’s lack of knowledge, suggesting the administration was prioritizing a fabricated narrative over real threats.
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During a House hearing, a top FBI official designated antifa as a major domestic terror threat while struggling to provide concrete details about the leaderless movement. The FBI’s operations director, Michael Glasheen, was unable to answer questions regarding antifa’s size, location, or membership, despite Trump’s previous designation and directive to investigate the group. Glasheen’s response, citing “active” investigations and the fluid nature of the movement, highlighted the challenges in classifying a decentralized entity as a terrorist organization. This focus on antifa contrasts with research showing historical levels of violence by right-wing and jihadist attackers have been significantly higher.
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A leaked memo from US Attorney General Pam Bondi instructs the Department of Justice to create a list of potential “domestic terrorism” organizations holding “extreme viewpoints” on various social and political issues. This memo expands on National Security Presidential Memorandum-7, a directive calling for a national strategy to investigate and disrupt political violence. The memo directs law enforcement agencies to refer suspected domestic terrorism cases to Joint Terrorism Task Forces for comprehensive investigations into all culpable participants. The memo defines the “domestic terrorism threat” as organizations using violence or threats to advance specific political goals, including opposition to immigration enforcement and adherence to “radical gender ideology” and “anti-Americanism.”
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Senator Elissa Slotkin revealed the Trump administration is compiling secret lists of domestic terrorist groups, raising concerns about the scope of National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 (NSPM-7). This directive, which broadens the definition of domestic terrorism, could lead to an expanded FBI watchlist. Slotkin, a former CIA analyst, expressed alarm that the administration is not being transparent about these lists, drawing criticism from other lawmakers. The creation of these lists, alongside the administration’s refusal to share information with Congress, has sparked warnings from experts and is seen by some as a greater infringement on freedoms than the Patriot Act.
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John Q. Hosedrinker