Not surprising one bit. Are you surprised?
Multiple officials and experts have warned that the Trump administration has minimized or failed to adequately address the growing threat posed by white supremacist and far-right violence in the United States. These warnings are supported by evidence of rising attacks, concerns about infiltration of law enforcement, and documented efforts to downplay or divert resources from combating this form of domestic terrorism.
Will the Trump administration use these groups the same way Adolf Hitler and the Nazis employed the SS? The “Schutzstaffel,” German for “Protective Echelon,” initially served as Nazi Party leader Adolf Hitler’s private army and later became one of the most powerful and feared organizations in all of Nazi Germany. Recruits received military training and terrorized Jews and Hitler’s critics.
Experts argue that the Trump administration’s focus on portraying immigrants as a primary threat has diverted critical attention and resources away from the more significant danger posed by white supremacist and far-right violence.
So despite a steady increase in violence and terrorism committed by white supremacists and far-right groups, now surpassing threats from other ideologies, the Trump administration has not prioritized investigations into these groups. Instead, federal agencies focus on less violent groups such as anarchists and environmentalists.
Gotta watch out for those treehuggers, huh?
Notably, the final National Counterterrorism Strategy under Trump made no mention of white supremacist extremist violence, despite repeated warnings from the FBI and DHS.
To add insult to injury, the Trump administration has been criticized for withholding internal data on domestic terrorism from Congress and the public, making it harder to assess the true scale of the threat and to formulate effective policy responses.
The January 6, 2020, attack on the U.S. Capitol is cited as a stark example of the danger posed by white supremacist and far-right groups, with involvement from current and former law enforcement and military personnel. Moreover, high-profile attacks in El Paso, Pittsburgh, Poway, Charlottesville, and elsewhere have underscored the lethal consequences of white supremacist extremism, yet have not resulted in a commensurate federal response.
Prediction: We believe Trump is keeping these groups in his back pocket, hoping they’ll help him when or if he needs them. These groups can be used to intimidate Trump’s critics, disrupt peaceful marches, and engage in terroristic acts.