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In 2006, the FBI delivered an intelligence assessment on how white supremacists infiltrated law enforcement.
The alarming report disclosed that those already within law enforcement volunteered their professional resources to white supremacist causes.
The alarming report disclosed that those already within law enforcement volunteered their professional resources to white supremacist causes.
One of the report's key judgments is that "white supremacist presence among law enforcement" is concerning because they could provide access to "elected officials or protected persons, whom they could see as potential targets for violence."
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There were documented cases of white supremacist leaders acquiring sensitive FBI information.
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Chillingly, the FBI found few attempts by white supremacists to infiltrate law enforcement--rather law enforcement themselves had worked to use "their professional skills for the benefit of white supremacist causes."
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Of the known efforts by white supremacist groups to infiltrate law enforcement, one group created a specific "military unit" and a "law enforcement unit" in an attempt to "attract 'higher quality' members."
This effort was successful.
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This effort was successful.
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The report states that domestic policies on immigration and foreign policies on Israel which conflict with white supremacist ideologies are factors that might cause law enforcement personnel to support white supremacist causes.
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In 2006, the FBI laid out its own intelligence gaps, including the extent to which white supremacists had already infiltrated law enforcement and more troubling the degree to which that infiltration adversely affected investigations into white supremacist crimes.
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Fourteen years later, in October 2020, the Department of Homeland Security released its annual threat assessment report.
They identified "domestic violent extremists" as the most "persistent and lethal threat" to America.
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They identified "domestic violent extremists" as the most "persistent and lethal threat" to America.
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DHS reports that extremists "have capitalized on increased social and political tensions in 2020, which will drive an elevated threat environment at least through early 2021."
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Specifically, they note that "[v]iolent extremists will continue to target individuals or institutions that represent symbols of their grievances, as well as grievances based on political affiliation . . ."
It further notes that COVID-19 could accelerated this violence.
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![Specifically, they note that "[v]iolent extremists will continue to target individuals or institutions that represent symbols of their grievances, as well as grievances based on political affiliation . . ."It further notes that COVID-19 could accelerated this violence.10/](https://pbs.twimg.com/media/Ery-v5rWMAA7ufL.png "Specifically, they note that \"[v]iolent extremists will continue to target individuals or institutions that represent symbols of their grievances, as well as grievances based on political affiliation . . .\"It further notes that COVID-19 could accelerated this violence.10/")
It further notes that COVID-19 could accelerated this violence.
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And what might they do?
"Spread violent extremist ideologies, especially via social media, that encourage violence and influence action within the United States."
"Exploit public fears associated with COVID-19"
"Driving lawful protests to incite violence . . ."
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"Spread violent extremist ideologies, especially via social media, that encourage violence and influence action within the United States."
"Exploit public fears associated with COVID-19"
"Driving lawful protests to incite violence . . ."
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The report further notes that violent extremists could try to target not only the 2020 election, but the election results.
And that there is a heightened attention given to election activities and candidates' public statements.
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And that there is a heightened attention given to election activities and candidates' public statements.
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DHS reports that "white supremacist extremists . . . will remain the most persistent and lethal threat in the Homeland."
And that since 2018, white supremacists "have conducted more lethal attacks in the United States than any other" extremist group.
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And that since 2018, white supremacists "have conducted more lethal attacks in the United States than any other" extremist group.
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Combining white supremacist violence with anti-government violence would be exceptionally dangerous.
These extremists exploit peaceful protests to "conceal violent attacks" and take "advantage of large crowds to conduct violence against government officials . . ."
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These extremists exploit peaceful protests to "conceal violent attacks" and take "advantage of large crowds to conduct violence against government officials . . ."
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I'm sharing this with you so that you know there was no intelligence failure on January 6th. Our institutions knew exactly what could happen. Anyone following Trump's social media had a good indication, as well.
What we experienced was a massive security failure.
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What we experienced was a massive security failure.
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Reports from Members of Congress that--particularly those members who are also people of color--have reported missing panic buttons, being located at unmarked offices, reconnaissance missions the day before, and other troubling details.
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Investigations are ongoing, but it is imperative that we get to the bottom of why and how the Trump Administration permitted the worst security failure in history of the United States.
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We must also acknowledge that Members of Congress--knowing the alarms set off by DHS back in October, knowing that this was the greatest potential for terrorism in the United States--chose to pour gasoline on those flames with their words, speeches, and votes.
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Their callous disregard for the security of our electoral process, for the safety of the American people, and for the lives of their colleagues is criminal.
And they must be removed from office.
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And they must be removed from office.
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