The Department of Homeland Security is warning that domestic extremist groups may be planning violent attacks in light of new COVID-19 restrictions.
The department says anti-government, anti-authority groups, and racially and ethnically motivated radicals are a “national threat priority for the United States,” especially as the 20th anniversary of September 11th nears.
Following the deadly Capitol riot on January 6th, US intelligence agencies declared that the most significant domestic terrorism threat of 2021 is extremists with “political grievances” capable of carrying out mass casualty events.
Thursday’s bulletin said “pandemic-related stressors” have contributed to the heightened risk of violence by extremist groups.
The announcement comes as cities across the country continue to enact vaccination mandates in response to the highly contagious spread of the Delta variant. Days ago, New Orleans announced that all restaurants, bars, and Superdome attendees would need to prove they have received the COVID-19 vaccine or a recent negative test. After previously voting, Los Angeles is also moving toward a similar mandate for their leisurely establishments to require all school employees to receive the vaccine.
