FBI, Homeland Security Called White Supremacists A ‘Persistent Threat’ In May

White supremacists may be dominating the news after recent violent protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, but they appear to have long been on the radar of U.S. intelligence officials.

White supremacists may be dominating the news after recent violent protests in Charlottesville, Virginia, but they appear to have long been on the radar of U.S. intelligence officials. 
According to Foreign Policy, which obtained a Joint Intelligence Bulletin issued by the FBI and Department of Homeland Security, or DHS, in May, the two agencies “warned that white supremacist groups had already carried out more attacks than any other domestic extremist group over the past 16 years...” 
The document, which has since been posted online, states that the white supremacist extremist movement, or WSE, “likely will continue to pose a threat of lethal violence over the next year. This assessment is based on a review of lethal and potentially lethal incidents of WSE violence from 2000 to 2016 and the often spontaneous and opportunistic nature of these acts that limits prevention by law enforcement.” 
It adds, “WSEs were responsible for 49 homicides in 26 attacks from 2000 to 2016...more than any other domestic extremist movement…A review of incidents since 2000 shows racial minorities have been the primary victims of WSE lethal violence.” 
And based on their analysis, intelligence officials concluded that the greatest impending threats would likely come from individuals or smaller groups, with more spontaneous targets.
According to NBC News, white nationalists rallied in Charlottesville Friday and Saturday “to protest the removal of a statue of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee.” 
Thus far, three deaths related to the event have been reported along with numerous injuries. 
While lawmakers and other leaders quickly spoke out against the groups, President Trump was widely criticized for attributing the violence to “many sides."
Perhaps as a result, he issued a stronger condemnation on Monday, saying, “Racism is evil and those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists and other hate groups that are repugnant to all that we hold dear as Americans.” 

Recommended