Domestic Terrorism

Select a domestic terror group that has been active in recent years and describe it. If you have difficulty selecting an appropriate group, consider environmental groups, animal rights groups, ethnic hate groups, or anti-abortion groups. Your discussion of the selected group should cover the following:

Provide a description of the group’s motivation, goals, and membership.
Describe an example of an action that the group has taken that would meet the definitions of terrorism.
Analyze whether this group is gaining strength. What are the factors that will influence whether this group grows in strength or weakens?
Describe the efforts of law enforcement to combat the group.
Propose strategies for the government to deal with this group in the future. Keep in mind that there may be things the government can do to address the group’s underlying motivations – think beyond “law enforcement.” Be sure that any proposals you offer are constitutional and realistic.

Sample Solution

The Proud Boys is a far-right, male-only extremist group that was founded in 2016. The group is known for its violent rhetoric and actions, and it has been involved in a number of high-profile incidents, including the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

The Proud Boys’ motivation is to “re-establish a sense of traditional American masculinity” and to “defend Western values.” The group’s goals include “uniting the right” and “driving out cultural Marxism.” The Proud Boys’ membership is estimated to be around 5,000 people.

One example of an action that the Proud Boys have taken that would meet the definitions of terrorism is the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. On that day, a mob of Proud Boys and other right-wing extremists stormed the Capitol Building in an attempt to stop the certification of Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 presidential election. Five people died in the attack, and dozens of others were injured.

It is difficult to say whether the Proud Boys are gaining strength. The group has been the subject of increased scrutiny and law enforcement attention in recent years, and it has been banned from social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook. However, the group continues to have a significant following, and it has been involved in a number of high-profile incidents.

The factors that will influence whether the Proud Boys grow in strength or weaken include the following:

  • The success of law enforcement efforts to disrupt and dismantle the group.
  • The level of public support for the group’s ideology.
  • The occurrence of high-profile incidents involving the group.
  • The political climate in the United States.

It is important to note that the Proud Boys is not the only domestic terror group active in the United States. There are a number of other groups, such as Atomwaffen Division and the Boogaloo Bois, that have also been involved in violence and extremism. It is important to be aware of these groups and to take steps to prevent them from carrying out their goals.

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