trump Governance memo on ”Domestic Terrorism” Primarily Targets Left-Wing Groups, Downplays Right-Wing Extremism
WASHINGTON D.C. – A previously confidential memo drafted during the Trump administration, recently revealed through court filings, reveals a focused effort too investigate and categorize left-wing activist groups as potential domestic terrorism threats, while largely overlooking documented instances of violence perpetrated by far-right extremists. The memo, dated January 6, 2021 – the day of the capitol attack – directs federal law enforcement to prioritize investigations into individuals and groups associated with movements like antifa and Black Lives Matter, framing their actions as potential domestic terrorism even in the absence of concrete evidence of planned violence.
The document’s disproportionate focus on left-leaning groups raises concerns about politically motivated targeting and a potential misallocation of resources within the Department of Justice. Experts warn this approach not only risks infringing on First Amendment rights but also diverts attention from the documented and growing threat of right-wing extremism, which the FBI itself has identified as the most lethal source of domestic terrorism in the United States. The memo’s emergence comes amid ongoing scrutiny of the trump administration’s handling of domestic extremism and its aftermath, particularly in light of the January 6th insurrection.
According to court documents, the memo, authored by then-Assistant Attorney General for National Security, matthew G. olsen, outlined a strategy to “enhance efforts to identify and disrupt domestic terrorism threats,” specifically mentioning “violent extremist ideologies” including “anti-government, anti-authority, and anti-fascist groups.” It directed FBI field offices to increase investigations into individuals and groups associated with these ideologies, emphasizing the need to gather intelligence on their activities and potential plans.
Notably,the memo contained minimal discussion of the escalating threat posed by white supremacist and far-right extremist groups,despite numerous reports detailing their involvement in violent incidents and online radicalization. The Anti-Defamation League (ADL) and the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) have consistently documented the increasing activity and dangerous rhetoric of these groups, including their role in the January 6th Capitol riot.
The revelation of the memo has sparked criticism from civil liberties advocates and legal experts, who argue that it reflects a biased and politically motivated approach to combating domestic terrorism. “This memo demonstrates a clear double standard,” said ACLU National Security project Senior Staff Attorney, Hugh Handeyside. “It prioritized investigating groups based on their political beliefs rather than on actual evidence of criminal activity.”
the memo’s focus on left-wing groups stands in stark contrast to FBI Director Christopher Wray’s testimony before congress in March 2023,where he stated that racially motivated violent extremism,particularly white supremacy,constitutes the “most significant domestic terrorism threat” facing the united States. The FBI has reported a significant increase in arrests related to domestic terrorism cases in recent years, with the majority involving individuals motivated by far-right ideologies.
