The risk of radicalization for private and public organizations is real. Security leaders can mitigate some risk by evaluating processes and procedures.
In a hearing by the House Intelligence Committee, John Cohen, Head of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Office of Intelligence and Analysis explained steps that DHS has taken to prevent domestic terrorism and violence since the U.S. Capitol building was breached by rioters on January 6, 2021.
Jeff Spoerndle, Vice President of BEST Crowd Management, who has led efforts to ensure training is provided to employees on emergency response in a high-threat situation, discusses the potential threat of domestic violent extremism at large events and critical safety considerations for venues.
The aftermath of the Jan. 6 attack on the United States Capitol has led to the emergence of a new broad, anti-government conspiracy theory spreading on social media that is dovetailing with anti-vaccination and anti-public health extremism, according to a new report by Rutgers’ Miller Center for Community Protection and Resilience.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is making $20 million available through the Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention (TVTP) Grant Program to help communities across the country develop innovative capabilities to combat terrorism and targeted violence.
Orlando has received $3.8 million in grant funding under the Department of Homeland Security’s Urban Area Security Initiative (UASI). The funds will go toward training first responders, as well as preparation and prevention of potential terrorism incidents, including domestic terrorism.
The Department of Homeland Security will allocate $1.8 billion in grants to state and local jurisdictions to protect against terrorism and other disasters, with at least $77 million specifically going toward combatting domestic violent extremism.
Some 200 individuals have been charged with federal offenses connected to the siege at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Among them are at least 15 examples of family affiliated extremism. These instances include: five sets of husbands and wives; two cases of fathers and sons, mothers and sons, brothers, and cousins; and an instance of father/daughter and brother/sister participation. Although of a different strain and less serious offenses—none specifically terrorism nor involving murder —such kin-connected radicalism is neither a new phenomenon nor one unique to the United States or elsewhere.
