The Department of Homeland Security’s Report

On “Rightwing Extremism”

            On April 7, 2009, the Department of Homeland Security issued a report entitled “Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic & Political Climate Fuels Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment.”

            The key findings of the report are summarized in the initial paragraph: 

            “The DHS/Office of Intelligence and Analysis (I&A) has no specific information that rightwing terrorists are currently planning acts of violence, but rightwing extremists may be gaining new recruits by playing on their fears about several emergent issues.  The economic downturn and the election of the first African American president presents unique drivers for rightwing radicalization and recruitment.” 

 The report lists no evidence that any “rightwing” organization is considering any unlawful acts, but provides a recital of miscellaneous prior incidents, with no tangible ties to “rightwing” politics. The Report goes on to note that:    

“Returning veterans possess combat skills and experience that are attractive to rightwing extremists.  DHS/I&A is concerned that rightwing extremists will attempt to recruit and radicalize returning veterans in order to boost their violent capabilities.”

In addition to citing returning veterans as a potential terrorist threat, the report also states that the threat may include “groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.”

Again, the Report lists no evidence of any kind to back up this concern.  Indeed, the Department of Homeland Security’s own civil rights division was distressed, perhaps over the apparently unfounded and unsupported allegations raised.  Despite internal concern over the serious shortcomings of the Report, the document was released. 

The report has sparked outrage from, among others, Democratic and Republican elected officials and veterans.  American Legion Commander David Rehbein, in his April 13 response to the Report, called it “Incomplete…and politically-biased.”  The veteran leader noted that under the criteria cited in the document, union workers concerned about the impact of immigration on their jobs would also be considered a terrorist threat.  Pete Hoekstra, the senior Republican serving on the House Intelligence Committee, formally requested the Ombudsman for the Director of National Intelligence to investigate the DHS Report based on its “political bias.”

Perhaps the most telling response came from Rep. Bennie G. Thompson, a Democrat and Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security. Rep. Thompson wrote directly to Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano on April 14, stating that “This report appears to raise significant issues involving the privacy and civil liberties of many Americans—including war veterans…I am disappointed and surprised that the Department would allow this report to be disseminated to its state, local and tribal partners in its present form…I am dumbfounded that I&A released this report.”

In response to the widespread, bipartisan criticism of the report, Secretary Napolitano issued a vague statement denying that DHS monitors political beliefs, and pledging to meet with the American Legion Commander.

Conclusion: Our review of The Department of Homeland Security Report, as well as Secretary Napolitano’s subsequent statement, did not uncover any evidence for its controversial allegations.  The responses from Democratic, Republican, and veteran leaders, and their concerns over political bias and the questionable process which led to the publication of this document, require serious consideration from the highest levels of the Obama Administration.