The main threat comes from people or groups who support race war, according to the US Homeland Security Agency.
In the United States, the threat posed by domestic extremists is still high in the run-up to the elections scheduled for November next year, warns the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in its annual threat assessment.
In the United States, there have been numerous charges and several convictions in connection with the January 2021 attack on the House of Congress. Members of extremist movements have also been among those accused and convicted.
However, according to DHS, the threat picture for domestic violent extremists and extremists inspired by foreign terrorist organizations has not changed much.
According to the report, both of the aforementioned groups continue to be inspired and motivated by things like conspiracy theories and racial, ethnic, religious and anti-government ideologies that are often shared online.
DHS estimates that the main threat comes from extremists who act on the basis of racial and ethnic motivations and support race war.
Extremist movements can disrupt election processes
Over the past two years, extremist groups in the United States have targeted communications and energy infrastructure, such as power plants. The purpose of the attacks has been to incite fear and destabilize society.
Several people have also committed racist mass shootings. The most recent such incident occurred in late August in Jacksonville, Florida. A then 21-year-old white man killed three black people before taking his own life.
Extremists motivated by conspiracy theories and anti-government criticism may also try to disrupt electoral processes during next year’s elections, according to DHS.
The agency warned of possible violence or threats against government officials, voters and election officials.
In addition, DHS warns of possible influence campaigns by Russia, China and Iran during the upcoming election season.
Source: STT–AFP