DOJ creating unit focused on domestic terrorism amid spike in threats

The Division of Justice will create a specialised home terrorism unit.
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The Division of Justice is making a specialised home terrorism unit, the division’s high national-security official mentioned Tuesday, amid a “rising menace” from violent extremists in America.

Assistant Legal professional Common Matthew Olsen revealed the brand new unit whereas testifying in entrance of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

“Now we have seen a rising menace from those that are motivated by racial animus, in addition to those that ascribe to extremist anti-government and anti-authority ideologies,” Olsen mentioned.

For the reason that spring of 2020, Olsen mentioned the variety of FBI probes into suspected home violent extremists has doubled.

The Justice Division already has a counterterrorism part inside its Nationwide Safety Division, which is led by Olsen.

The brand new unit will “increase our current method” and “make sure that these instances are correctly dealt with and successfully coordinated,” Olsen mentioned.

With Publish wires

Assistant Legal professional Common for Nationwide Safety Division Matthew Olsen, seen from a video monitor, testifies remotely earlier than a Senate Judiciary Committee throughout a digital listening to to look at the home terrorism menace one yr after January 6, 2021.

AP