Garland outlines national strategy to combat domestic terrorism

WASHINGTON, D.C., — The Biden administration unveiled a new strategy for fighting domestic terrorism Tuesday, which the FBI has said is a growing threat to communities around the country.

U.S. Attorney General Merrick Garland said it follows an assessment of the threat posed by the Jan. 6 attack at the U.S. Capitol which injured more than 100 officers and left five people dead.

“We have now as we have then an enormous task ahead, to move forward as a country, to punish the perpetrators, to do everything possible to prevent similar attacks,” said Garland.

Garland said the new strategy aims to stop domestic terrorists from being able to recruit and radicalize more Americans.

It also focuses on improving information-sharing among law enforcement and government agencies about domestic violent extremist threats.

The Department of Justice has said the threat of domestic extremism has been growing in recent years.

Garland pointed to the 2017 shooting at a Congressional baseball game that targeted Republicans like Rep. Steve Scalise, the 2018 mass shooting at a Pittsburgh synagogue and the 2019 mass shooting at an El Paso Wal Mart, among others.

“Such attacks are not only unspeakable tragedies for the victims’ loved ones,” said Garland. “They are also a tragedy for our country. An attack on our core ideals as a society.”

Garland said law enforcement and intelligence agencies have been assessing the threat here at home.

“In the FBI’s view, the top domestic violent extremist threat comes from racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists specifically those who advocate for the superiority of the white race,” said Garland.

The new national strategy to combat domestic terrorism is already being implemented, according to Garland.”We cannot prevent every attack,” said Garland. “The only way to find sustainable solutions is not only to disrupt and deter, but also to address the root causes of violence.”

The Biden administration’s 2022 budget request is calling for an additional $100 million for the DOJ to address domestic terrorism, Garland said.

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