https://www.cnn.com/2020/09/08/politics/white-supremacy-dhs-draft-assessment/index.htmlThere are three drafts, so far. I find myself wondering how soon before DHS disowns these drafts and puts out either a new draft or a final which presents a totally different conclusion of what the "most lethal threat" to the US is.
If they stand by this report, I will give the head of DHS (or perhaps underlings or both) brownie points. If the head of DHS gets fired over this, I would not be shocked, though the timing, as with replacing Esper (whose potential replacements are being interviewed atm), would not be good for the campaign (or the country, probably). (
Note that this is not an endorsement of the head of DHS, but a comment on the motivations for such a change and an utter disbelief in any replacement that this president would make, especially at this time, given the failures of so many other appointments, thus far.)
White supremacy is 'most lethal threat' to the US, DHS draft assessment saysWhite supremacists will remain the most "persistent and lethal threat" in the United States through 2021, according to Department of Homeland Security draft documents.
The most recent draft report predicts an "elevated threat environment at least through" early next year, concluding that some US-based violent extremists have capitalized on increased social and political tensions in 2020.
Although foreign terrorist organizations will continue to call for attacks on the US, the report says, they "probably will remain constrained in their ability to direct such plots over the next year."
The threat assessment -- which also warns of continued disinformation efforts by Russia -- is especially notable as President Donald Trump has often employed race-baiting tactics in his quest for reelection and frequently downplayed the threat from white supremacists during his term in office. The Trump administration has portrayed Antifa and anarchists as a top threat to the US, with the President tweeting this summer that the US will designate Antifa as a terrorist organization.
The recently released draft reports, which were made public by Lawfare Editor in Chief Benjamin Wittes and first reported by Politico, asses a host of threats, including cyber, foreign influence and irregular migration.
All three drafts state that white supremacist extremists are the deadliest threat. However, the placement and language about white supremacy in three versions of the DHS draft documents differ slightly.
