The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has detailed a summary of terrorism threats, as well as responses to threats and resources to aid in bolstering safety.
Per DHS, individuals in online forums routinely promoting domestic violent extremist and conspiracy theory-related content have praised the May 2022 mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas, and encouraged copycat attacks; the suspect in the grocery store attack in Buffalo, New York, in May 2022 claimed he was motivated by racist, anti-Black and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories referencing the “great replacement” or “white genocide”; and in April 2022, an individual wearing a gas mask threw two smoke canisters and opened fire on a New York City subway during morning rush hour, resulting in injuries to dozens of individuals.
Additionally, DHS maintains there is an increased risk of domestic violent extremists using changes in border security-related policies and/or enforcement mechanisms to justify violence against minorities and law enforcement officials involved in the enforcement of border security; individuals who advocate both for and against abortion have, on public forums, encouraged violence against government, religious and reproductive healthcare personnel and facilities; and calls for violence by domestic violent extremists directed at democratic institutions, political candidates, party offices, election events, and election workers will likely increase amid midterm election season.
With regard to responses to threats, DHS indicated the agency would collaborate with the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to share information and intelligence with the broadest audience possible; DHS’s Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships (CP3) trains stakeholders to identify indicators of radicalization to violence, where to seek help and resources that are available to prevent targeted violence and terrorism; and DHS’s Nonprofit Security Grant Program (NSGP) provided over $250 million to support physical security enhancements to non-profit organizations at high risk of terrorist attacks.