Lawmakers seek domestic terrorism growth review

A group of lawmakers recently called on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the intelligence community to review threats posed by domestic terrorist groups and their domestic growth.

Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM), a member of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, along with Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Senate Democrats introduced a resolution expressing the Sense of the Senate on threats of domestic terrorism, violent white supremacists, neo-Nazis, anti-government militias and fringe conspiracy theories to democratic institutions and values of America.

Heinrich has called for a review of the targeting and recruitment of current and former members of the United States military and law enforcement for domestic terrorist attacks, officials said, as well as the financing of domestic terrorist groups and coordination of such groups with foreign actors, including foreign military and intelligence services.

The action also seeks a resource assessment and examines training available to law enforcement agencies to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of such groups.

Prior to the attacks of the U.S. Capitol, Heinrich led the effort to forward correspondence to the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security Office of Intelligence and Analysis requesting a written assessment to Congress on the threat posed by QAnon, domestically and abroad.

Heinrich secured a commitment from Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines during her confirmation hearing she would work with the FBI and the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis to provide a public written assessment of the threat of QAnon to the United States.