NGA project aims to prevent acts of violent extremism in US

The National Governors Association (NGA) recently announced the launch of a project aimed at preventing acts of violent extremism in throughout the United States.

Developed through a two-year training and engagement grant provided by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the project will involve governors consulting with leading experts in government, academia, nonprofit organizations, and the private sector to create a mechanism state officials can use to prevent future terrorism-related attacks.

“NGA is proud to be a national organization awarded this grant by the Department of Homeland Security,” Jeff McLeod, director of NGA’s Homeland Security and Public Safety Division, said. “We’ve already spoken with more than 30 organizations and will continue to seek out relevant experts to help guide this work.”

NGA noted that the project would not focus on any one specific violent extremist ideology but rather include the full spectrum for a more comprehensive approach.

At the conclusion of expert discussions, NGA said five states would then be selected to pilot the new mechanism prior to a potential nationwide rollout.