Last Updated on June 7, 2022
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas warned of a “heightened threat environment” in the months leading up to the 2022 midterm elections. In its latest terrorism threat bulletin, DHS warned of an increased threat from “domestic extremists” and a situation that will become “more dynamic” as the elections draw closer. Biden’s DHS has repeatedly stated that “white supremacists” represent America’s largest terror threat and have frequently painted conservative beliefs or support for Donald Trump as possible indicators.
“As recent acts of violence in communities across the country have so tragically demonstrated, the nation remains in a heightened threat environment, and we expect that environment will become more dynamic in the coming months,” Mayorkas said.
“In the coming months, DHS expects the threat environment to become more dynamic as several high-profile events could be exploited to justify acts of violence against a range of possible targets,” he continued. “These targets could include public gatherings, faith-based institutions, schools, racial, ethnic, and religious minorities, government facilities and personnel, U.S. critical infrastructure, the media, and perceived ideological opponents.”
The department cited the Uvalde and Buffalo massacres, a shooting at a Taiwanese church in California and the recent NYC subway attacks as examples.
“Threat actors have recently mobilized to violence due to factors such as personal grievances, reactions to current events, and adherence to violent extremist ideologies, including racially or ethnically motivated or anti-government/anti-authority violent extremism,” Mayorkas continued.
The latest DHs terrorism threat bulletin focused heavily on the supposed right-wing terror threat. For example, DHS listed the ideological motivations of Buffalo gunman Payton Gendron but made no mention of the ideological leanings of Frank James, a black nationalist who indiscriminately opened fire on a New York City subway car.
DHS listed disagreements with the Biden Administration’s border policy as a potential motivator for attacks. “We assess that there is increased risk of domestic violent extremists using changes in border security-related policies and/or enforcement mechanisms to justify violence against individuals, such as minorities and law enforcement officials involved in the enforcement of border security,” reads the bulletin.
They also cited the upcoming Supreme Court decision on Roe v. Wade as a potential catalyst, though the document went on to claim that “both sides” of the issue have committed or threatened violence. The bulletin made no mention of the numerous attacks on offices of pro-life groups and churches that have taken place since the Roe v. Wade news leaked.
Lastly, DHS pointed to upcoming elections in its threat assessment. “As the United States enters mid-term election season this year, we assess that calls for violence by domestic violent extremists directed at democratic institutions, political candidates, party offices, election events, and election workers will likely increase,” DHS wrote.
The latest terrorism threat bulletin is nothing new for Biden’s DHS, who have repeatedly cherry-picked examples of “right-wing” and “white supremacist” violence while ignoring attacks from left-wing extremists.
Similar claims were made in a bulletin published earlier this year, when DHS warned of threats from “anti-authority extremists” and those who question the 2020 election results.
