Homeland Security is concerned about surging gun violence and domestic terrorism and an expected increase in large gatherings for July 4 weekend. COVID-19 restrictions are being lifted this weekend in multiple states. DHS said, ‘in recent weeks, domestic violent extremists motivated by various violent ideologies have continued to advocate violence and plan attacks’. A DHS spokesperson told DailyMail.com domestic terrorism is largely inspired by disinformation, conspiracy theories and false narratives on social media. ‘It’s a very volatile moment and it’s about to be a more target-rich environment,’ a senior law enforcement officer told ABC News. The Department of Homeland Security said it will be on ‘heightened alert’ this July 4th weekend for white supremacists looking to exploit states’ rollback of COVID-19 restrictions and attack a range of possible targets, officials told DailyMail.com. The warning comes as officials say they’ve been monitoring a spike in online chatter that could indicate white supremacist-motivated attacks. Homeland Security issued a National Terrorism Alert System (NTAS) Bulletin, which it it said it won’t release to the public at this time, but ABC News obtained it. ‘In recent weeks, domestic violent extremists (DVEs) motivated by various violent ideologies have continued to advocate violence and plan attacks,’ the bulletin said, according to ABC News. ‘As of 16 June, racially or ethnically motivated violent extremist-white supremacists (RMVE-WSs) were sharing downloadable links to a publication discussing targeting mass gatherings, critical infrastructure and law enforcement officers,’ it said. The Fourth of July weekend will likely have the highest number of large gatherings in 15 months, with more than 30 states rolling back nearly all of its COVID-19 restrictions. (…) According to a March assessment of domestic terrorism, the two most lethal elements are ‘racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists who advocate for the superiority of the white race’ and ‘anti-government or anti-authority violent extremists, such as militia violent extremists.’ ‘The U.S. Government will also work to find ways to counter polarization often fueled by disinformation, misinformation and dangerous conspiracy theories online, supporting an environment that fosters healthy democratic discourse,’ the National Domestic Terrorism Strategy says.
via daily mail: White supremacist-connected domestic terrorism is possible over July 4th weekend, DHS warns after ‘monitoring online chatter’