For decades, much of the right-wing media has emphasized the threat posed by violent Islamist extremists while downplaying the terrorist potential of far-right white supremacist and white nationalist groups. But that doesn’t make the latter any less dangerous. And one Democratic congressman who is sounding the alarm is Mississippi’s Rep. Bennie Thompson, who chairs the House Homeland Security Committee and wants to know why an FBI report on white supremacists is four months late.
In an article published this week, journalist Spencer Ackerman — who specializes in national security matters for the Daily Beast — notes that the FBI “has failed to produce a legally required report detailing the scope of white supremacist and other domestic terrorism, despite mounting concerns that the upcoming election could spark far-right violence.” That report was supposed to be released in June, and according to Ackerman, Thompson is demanding answers.
“I would hate to think that they are reacting to President Trump’s machinations about his dislike for senior leadership in the FBI,” Thompson told the Daily Beast. “This report probably would not be viewed favorably by this administration. That, I think, precipitates the report not being released by November 3.” Continue reading.