Documents obtained by America First Legal (AFL) have unveiled that a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) advisory board identified military service, religious affiliation, and support for former President Donald Trump as potential indicators of domestic extremism and terrorism.
The documents, part of AFL’s “#DeepStateDiaries” series, stem from the now-disbanded Homeland Intelligence Experts Group. The group, established in September 2023, aimed to provide expert analysis on issues like terrorism and substance trafficking.
According to the documents, the advisory board, which included notable figures such as former CIA Director John Brennan and former Director of National Intelligence James Clapper, suggested that Trump supporters comprise “most of the Domestic Terrorism threat” in the United States.
Notes from the group’s meetings revealed that “being in the military or religious” were considered markers of domestic extremists.
“If you ask researchers to dive into indicators of extremists and terrorism, they might indicate being in the military or religious,” the notes stated.
Despite the political implications, the advisory board stressed the need to discuss these indicators openly.
These findings have sparked accusations of politicization within the DHS under the Biden administration.
Gene Hamilton, executive director of AFL, condemned the advisory board’s findings as “unabashed partisanship” and an effort to weaponize the federal government against political opponents.
“These shocking records reveal apparent unabashed partisanship on this Deep State committee,” Hamilton said. “All efforts to weaponize the federal government against political opponents of the ruling regime should be stopped.”
The White House, however, distanced itself from the advisory board’s conclusions. Deputy press secretary Andrew Bates clarified to Fox News that the White House does not consider religious Americans, military personnel, or Trump supporters as significant threats to the United States.
Bates referred further inquiries to DHS, which has yet to respond.
AFL’s findings also highlighted the advisory board’s concern about public reporting of suspicious activities, noting the “ambivalent feeling” Americans have towards reporting on each other. The board advocated for a nationwide campaign to encourage public vigilance in identifying potential threats.
The revelations have sparked significant backlash, particularly among conservative circles, with accusations that the Biden administration is using federal power to target political adversaries.
AFL President Stephen Miller echoed these sentiments, stating that the documents “reveal a shocking Biden plan to mobilize government power against Trump supporters ahead of the election.”
The DHS announced the disbandment of the Homeland Intelligence Experts Group following a successful lawsuit by AFL on behalf of former Acting Director of National Intelligence Ric Grenell.
DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas initially formed the group to improve intelligence and national security efforts through collaboration with private sector experts.
As the debate continues, the disclosures from AFL promise further scrutiny of the Biden administration’s handling of domestic terrorism threats and the politiciszation of federal agencies.