How the Heightened Domestic Extremist Threat Could Materialize in Attacks

As an article in Homeland Security Today observes, the Capitol riot and the heavy online chatter preceding and following the event have put law enforcement on edge, not just through January 20 but in the year ahead for potential attacks by extremist groups and individuals that include accelerationists and conspiracy theory and anti-government extremists, among others. The article explores how and when threats might manifest themselves, looking at the possibility of incidents that take inspiration from the Capitol riot, occur on symbolic dates, and make use of insiders. And while in recent years the nation has become accustomed to seeing operations conducted by lone, inspired terrorists who can be more difficult to intercept in the attack planning stages, it’s becoming increasingly likely that threat actors will show strength through numbers or utilize extra conspirators for more complex attacks, as the article notes. The article also briefly discusses the potential for attacks targeting critical infrastructure, discussing past plots and incidents that involving electric and telecommunications infrastructure, as well as against healthcare infrastructure in a following section that examines the possibility of backlashes to COVID-19 pandemic mitigation efforts. Read the article at Homeland Security Today.