DHS Issues Terrorism Advisory Due to Heightened Security Concerns

Acting Secretary of Homeland Security David Pekoske has issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin due to security concerns following the inauguration of President Joe Biden. According to the bulletin, there is reason to believe that Domestic Violent Extremists (DVEs) could be ideologically motivated to challenge the presidential transition and exercises of governmental authority. For reference, the DHS issues bulletins when there are general trends regarding threats of terrorism. They issue an elevated threat to warn of a credible terrorist threat against the U.S. and an imminent threat to warn of a credible, specific, and impending terrorist threat against the country.

Fueled by false narratives, these DVEs could target federal facilities and carry out attacks against government entities, according to the bulletin. There has been a rise in DVEs over the past few years, and the rise hit its peak in 2020 when DVEs began voicing their opposition to COVID-19 restrictions, movements against police brutality, and, most recently, the outcome of the 2020 election.

According to the bulletin, on January 6, 2021, the DVEs were able to siege the U.S. Capitol in an attempt to prevent the certification of election results. Heightened security in D.C. surrounding Inauguration Day on January 20, 2021 prevented these extremists from causing harm, but communications collected from social media and web pages suggest there is a chance for violence following the successful inauguration.

As part of the rising threat of DVEs, the bulletin cites a 2019 shooting in El Paso, Texas that killed 23 people and was fueled by opposition to immigration. There were increasing numbers of threats against critical infrastructure, healthcare sectors, and telecommunications in 2020.

The public is asked to help DHS and be prepared as the country continues into the Biden administration. Specifically, people are asked to report suspicious activity and threats of violence, including online activity, to local law enforcement, FBI Field Offices, or their local Fusion Center. Furthermore, the bulletin tells the public to be prepared for DVE activity by carrying medical and emergency information on hand and being acutely aware of their surroundings when in large crowds, though it recommends avoiding large crowds, including protests, due to pandemic conditions.

Finally, DHS tells the public to stay informed and educate themselves by reviewing the DHS 2020 Homeland Threat Assessment, which examines the threat environment through 2021.