Secretary Mayorkas Announces Domestic Violent Extremism Review at DHS

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY Office of Public Affairs Secretary Mayorkas Announces Domestic Violent Extremism Review at DHS  WASHINGTON – Today, Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas announced an internal review to address the threat of domestic violent extremism within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).  Secretary Mayorkas has made identifying, addressing, and preventing domestic violent extremism across our country a top priority.  "Domestic violent extremism poses the most lethal and persistent terrorism-related threat to our country today," said Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas.  "As we work to safeguard our Nation, we must be vigilant in our efforts to identify and combat domestic violent extremism within both the broader community and our own organization.  Hateful acts and violent extremism will not be tolerated within our Department."  At the direction of the Secretary, a cross-Departmental working group comprised of senior officials will immediately begin a comprehensive review of how to best prevent, detect, and respond to threats related to domestic violent extremism within DHS.  This internal team, which will be led by the Department's Chief Security Officer, will produce a report with recommendations for the Secretary on how best to identify and respond to threats related to domestic violent extremism, including those based on racially- or ethnically-motivated violent extremism.  The Department's internal review is the latest action it is taking to comprehensively combat domestic violent extremism.  Since January 20, 2021, DHS has increased the development, production, and sharing of intelligence and other information central to countering domestic violent extremism across the United States, consistent with privacy, civil rights and civil liberties, and First Amendment rights. On January 27, 2021, DHS issued a National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin due to the heightened threat environment. It was the first NTAS issued in more than a year. Further, in February, Secretary Mayorkas designated combating domestic violent extremism a 'National Priority Area' for the first time in FEMA grant programs.  As a result, state, local, tribal, and territorial governments are required to spend at least 7.5 percent, or a minimum of $77 million, of their DHS grant awards combating this threat.  The Department is also increasing training opportunities for law enforcement partners, including through threat assessment and management programs related to domestic violent extremism. More than 240,000 dedicated DHS employees carry out the Department's mission to safeguard the American people, our homeland, and our values.  Today's announcement is an important next step toward ensuring that violent extremism does not compromise our ability to keep our communities safe and secure. The full text of today's announcement is below.             April 26, 2021   A Message from Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas on Preventing Domestic Violent Extremism within DHS Colleagues, Our Department plays a critical role in keeping our communities safe and secure.  Performing our homeland security mission requires dedication, honor, integrity, and often, enormous personal sacrifice.  I am humbled every day by how much you give in service to the American people as you fulfill your oath to protect and defend the Constitution.  Working alongside you is among the greatest privileges of my life.   Recent events, including the January 6th attacks on the U.S. Capitol, have highlighted that domestic violent extremism poses the most lethal and persistent terrorism-related threat to our country today.  Addressing this threat is an urgent priority of the Biden-Harris Administration and of this Department.  We will continue to work with our partners to immediately address it.   As we work to safeguard the Nation and our values, we must be vigilant in our efforts to identify and combat domestic violent extremism within both the broader community and our own organization.  Violent extremism has no place at DHS and we will work with urgency and focus to address it.   Given the evolving threat landscape and the grave risks posed by domestic violent extremism, including to our employees and operations, I have directed the Department to immediately begin a review of how to best prevent, detect, and respond to domestic violent extremism threats within DHS.  The team managing this internal effort, led by our Chief Security Officer, will report back to me with its recommendations.  In the coming days, DHS leadership will communicate additional information and guidance to you.  This guidance will include information about Department and Component-specific policies and procedures laying out the requirements and mechanisms for reporting insider threats and other actions associated with domestic violent extremism.  Separately, the Department will be issuing reminders about Department policies prohibiting discriminatory and harassing behavior. Each of you brings great honor to DHS.  We will not allow hateful acts or violent extremism to penetrate the fabric of our Department and fundamentally compromise our ability to protect the Homeland. Thank you for all you do in service of our country.    Alejandro N. Mayorkas Secretary of Homeland Security                                                                                              With honor and integrity, we will safeguard the American people, our homeland, and our values. # # #

 

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