Domestic terrorism is noted for its lack of foreign involvement
Domestic terrorism is noted for its lack of foreign involvement. There is a long history of domestic terrorism within the United States. Domestic terrorist organizations have arisen in a broad political context. For example, the emergence of hate crimes has blurred the characteristics that separate domestic terrorism and hate crimes. It should be recognized that there are instances when hate crimes could also be categorized as domestic terrorism.
Address the following:
Why do you think domestic terrorists exist in society? Explain.
Do you think various triggers drive them to extremism, or are they slowly conditioned throughout their lives? Explain.
Do children learn domestic terrorism outlooks from their parents, peers, another source, or all three?
In your own words, describe the differences and similarities between domestic terrorism and hate crimes.
Sample Solution
Domestic terrorism is on the rise. Several attacks have been widely reported in the last few years. For example, in May 2022, a racially-motivated individual shot and killed 10 people in Buffalo, New York. A 2018 attack on a Pittsburgh synagogue left 11 people dead. Domestic terrorism involves violence against the civilian population or infrastructure of a nation—often but not always by citizens of that nation and often with the intent to intimidate, coerce, or influence national policy. According to DHS, there were 231 domestic terrorism incidents between 2010 and 2021. Of these, about 35% (the largest category) were classified as racially- or ethnically-motivated. These attacks were also the most lethal. For example, in July 2016, a racially-motivated individual killed five police officers in Dallas. Anti-government or anti-authority motivated violent extremism was the second largest category of incidents, and resulted in 15 deaths over the same time period. There were also domestic terrorism incidents linked to animal rights extremists and abortion-related violent extremists, among other motivations.
