DHS warns of increase in violent extremism amid coronavirus lockdowns

[RandySF]

Domestic terrorists and violent extremists are mobilizing in response to the coronavirus pandemic, and the threat could get more severe “until the virus is contained and the normal routine of U.S. societal life resumes,” according to a Department of Homeland Security intelligence note sent to law enforcement officials around the country.

The memo, dated April 23 and obtained by POLITICO, cites recent arrests of individuals who have threatened government facilities and elected officials over the health restrictions that have been imposed to stop the spread of Covid-19. The warning, marked unclassified/law enforcement sensitive, was disseminated as so-called Liberate protesters have begun demonstrating outside several states' capitol buildings demanding an end to the lockdowns.

Those arrested in the last month include an “anti-government extremist” who threatened to kill New Mexico’s governor over the coronavirus restrictions, and another individual who was arrested late last month for allegedly threatening to blow up the Orlando Police Department’s headquarters — hours after a countywide stay-at-home order was put into effect — because people are being “put ... out of work” because of the pandemic.

“Recent incidents and arrests nationwide illustrate how the COVID-19 pandemic is driving violent actors—both non-ideologically and ideologically motivated—to threaten violence,” the memo reads. “These incidents indicate that COVID-19 is serving as the impetus for some domestic terrorist plots.”





https://www.politico.com/news/2020/04/23/dhs-increase-in-coronavirus-inspired-violence-205221

[Ford_Prefect]

1. Cue the Death Squads attacking Representatives and Senators next?

[47of74]

2. Problem is that even Democratic officials handle these fuck sticks with kid gloves

If it was a bunch of minorities - racial and/or sexual - you’d see the swat teams being sent in with heavy artillery to violently put down the protests.

They refuse to do much beyond issuing citations and whining when they should be sending the national guard in to deal with the reich wing protesters like they would in a heartbeat if it was a large gathering of minorities.

And if the Kluxer wing of law enforcement doesn’t like it they should be told to fucking quit already.

[SammyWinstonJack]

7. Look at how they treated Occupy Wall Street protesters. It was horrible.

[wnylib]

9. I think that even Dem officials are

using restraint in order to prevent escalation. Coming down hard on them at this point will play right into their spin about authoritarian officials taking away their freedoms. It would give them sympathetic followers. These groups are trying to create left/right confrontations and violence. They believe they can initiate a "revolution."

By using restraint, officials avoid giving the hate groups what they want. Since these groups are in the minority, it works better to expose them as fringe nutters through the reaction of the general publuc and the negative way the media cover them.

The ones posing an obvious immediate threat, through criminal acts like bombing, are being arrested.

[Scarsdale]

3. What about the

instigator in chief? Does he bear no responsibility for the protesters? He thinks they are "decent people, who love me". He is goading these nutcases on, daily. The excuse is that he is bored. I have a suggestion, read the Constitution and DO YOUR JOB. Jared was not elected, you were. The presidency was never meant to be a family run business, especially when that family is not too bright or honest.

[Bernardo de La Paz]

5. tRump FAILED to DEFEND USA against virus: 50K dead. He'll purposely fail against domestic enemies.nt

[Bernardo de La Paz]

4. Rs read "antifa". Ds read "gun nuts, w supremacists, RW superspreaders-on-purpose, anti-semites,..."

[SWBTATTReg]

6. Sadly, there are idiots in this world of extremism that will go to any length to push forward...

their idiot beliefs. Over 86% of people support the stay at home orders (a recent percentage provided (on DU today)). I have to laugh, because if these idiots make a move to do something, they'll have to go out and expose themselves to get more guns, more ammo, etc., and in the process, expose themselves to the CV, and WHAM, they're sick or dead.

Idiots. This is almost (but not quite) as bad as drinking disinfectant or bleach, like our vaunted and 'genius' president recommends. On a serious note, I hope that they nail these idiots if they do harm. Inciting others to harm themselves or others is enough, where the Feds need to step in and stop them, from committing a terrorist act (like our so called president is almost). Things are and need to be treated seriously. Lives are at risk.

[dalton99a]

8. Trump's People's Liberation Army