Crime and Punishment: Insurrection Day's Most Wanted, Pt. 40

[Generic Other]

7. DHS is concerned about Trump reinstatement conspiracy theory, top official says

DHS is concerned about Trump reinstatement conspiracy theory, top official says
DHS's top counterterrorism official told members of Congress about the department's concerns in a private briefing.

The conspiracy theory that Donald Trump will be reinstated as president in August has sparked concerns at the Department of Homeland Security, a top official there told members of Congress on Wednesday.

The exchange came in a members-only briefing that John Cohen, the department’s top counterterrorism official, gave to the House Committee on Homeland Security. Three people familiar with the briefing described it to POLITICO. They requested anonymity to discuss the private conversation.

In the briefing, Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Mich.) asked Cohen how DHS is following the spread of disinformation and conspiracy theories, as well as the way that discourse can fuel violence. She specifically brought up the conspiracy theory claiming Trump will be reinstated as president in August — a theory Trump himself has reportedly promoted.

Cohen replied that DHS is not aware of any specific, credible threats of violence linked to the conspiracy theory about Trump being reinstated. But he added that DHS is following discussion of the topic online among extremist communities. And he said department officials are highly concerned about it because it fuels the false narrative that the election was rigged — a narrative that may trigger a violent response from extremists.

The briefing’s topic was domestic terrorism. But Cohen also fielded a significant number of questions from members about violent crime, which has surged in 2020 and 2021. Cohen said DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has directed officials there to look at factors fueling the violence that fall in the department’s mission. And earlier this week, the Biden administration rolled out a strategy to combat violent crime.

https://www.politico.com/news/2021/06/24/dhs-concerned-trump-reinstatement-496050

https://www.democraticunderground.com/100215737141
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