Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act Reintroduced by Illinois Tag Team

Dick Durbin
Capitol Protestors 1/6/21, pic from Darlene Swaffar

In wake of the Capitol riots earlier this month, will focus be all domestic terrorists or only white supremacists?

Yesterday, Senator Dick Durbin (D, IL) who will become Senate Judiciary Committee chairman by the end of this week with Vice President Kamala Harris’ inauguration and the swearing-in of Senators-elect Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff of Georgia, and appointed Senator Alex Padilla of California, reintroduced the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act, with House lead sponsor Congressman Brad Schneider (D, IL-10).

Among the original co-sponsors of the legislation is Durbin’s House counterpart, Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler (D, NY-10).

Here is the press release from Congressman Schneider’s office. Commentary will follow:

Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act (DTPA) of 2021 Introduced in House

January 19, 2021

Press Release

Bipartisan Bill Would Strengthen Law Enforcement Efforts to Prevent, Report On, Respond To, and Investigate Acts of Domestic Terrorism

WASHINGTON – Today, Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10), Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler (NY-10), Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02), Rep. Don Bacon (NE-01), Rep. Vicente González (TX-15), Rep. Fred Upton (MI-06), Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46), and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL) announced the introduction of the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act (DTPA) of 2021, H.R. 350. A Senate companion bill is led by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL).

“Following the terrifying attack on the Capitol this month, which left five dead and many injured, the entire nation has been seized by the potential threat of more terrorist attacks in Washington and around the country.

“Unlike after 9/11, the threat that reared its ugly head on January 6th is from domestic terror groups and extremists, often racially-motivated violent individuals. America must be vigilant to combat those radicalized to violence, and the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act gives our government the tools to identify, monitor and thwart their illegal activities.

“Combatting the threat of domestic terrorism and white supremacy is not a Democratic or Republican issue, not left versus right or urban versus rural. Domestic Terrorism is an American issue, a serious threat that we can and must address together,” said Rep. Brad Schneider (IL-10).

“I am proud to be an original cosponsor of this bill, which we need now more than ever. In the wake of the domestic terrorist attack on our Capitol two weeks ago, it is painfully clear that the current approach to addressing the real and persistent threat posed by white nationalism and similar ideologies is not working. We must not allow hate crimes and domestic terrorism to continue unchecked. I look forward to working with my colleagues to advance this important and timely bill as quickly as possible,” said Judiciary Chairman Jerry Nadler (NY-10).

“Walking through the Capitol today, you can still see the marks of the devastating attack on our democracy that occurred on January 6th. Representative Schneider and I first introduced the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act in 2017 to combat the threat of violent white supremacists and other domestic terrorists, and today we are urging our colleagues to join us in passing this critical piece of legislation. After the attack on our Capitol, I hope that Congress can finally come together and do something to address domestic terrorism in America as quickly as possible,” said Senator Durbin (D-IL).

“Homegrown, violent domestic terrorism from white supremacists, and other racially and ethnically motivated violent extremists, remains a serious ongoing threat that demands the full coordination and efforts of our federal law enforcement agencies. We must provide the necessary tools for our law enforcement to investigate, prevent, and prosecute these heinous, violent crimes,” said Rep. Fitzpatrick (PA-01). “This bill would also direct resources for investigations into hate crimes incidents with a nexus to domestic terrorism. As a former FBI Supervisory Special Agent, I am proud to introduce this bipartisan legislation that would codify offices within our federal law enforcement agencies to combat and prevent domestic terrorist activities and threats.”

“White supremacy and domestic terrorist organizations have no place in America. Rhetoric from the outgoing President and right-wing political leaders have emboldened white nationalist groups to pursue violence as a means to an end. On January 6, we experienced the terror of white nationalism in full display as domestic terrorists attacked our Nation’s Capitol in an attempt to disrupt the peaceful transfer of power. This bill would provide federal agencies with the resources they need to keep Americans safe from the threat of home-grown terrorism and strengthen partnerships with state and local law enforcement to combat hateful violence. The Domestic Terror Prevention Act is more important than ever as we work to root out and rid America of this cancer,” said Rep. Vincente González (TX-15).

“In the military and in Congress, we take an oath to defend our nation against all enemies, foreign and domestic,” said Rep Don Bacon (NE-02). “Just as U.S. operations overseas have helped drive significant decreases in international terrorism over the last five years, we’ve seen domestic terrorism in the United States grow dramatically over the same time period. We must acknowledge that America is not immune to this growing threat, and we must counter it with the same resolve with which we have battled international terrorism and Islamic extremism. This is important bi-partisan legislation and I thank Representative Schneider for his leadership.”

“After 911, our government correctly took bold steps to defend American lives against foreign terrorism, and prevent another attack against our nation. Yet, during this time, we overlooked the ever-growing threat homegrown domestic terrorists posed to American lives,” said Rep. Lou Correa (CA-46). “As the legislative branch of our federal government, we have a duty to support the efforts of our public safety, police, and national security agencies. This legislation gives out nation’s defenders the tools they need to find, arrest, and prosecute individuals in our society intent on harming their fellow Americans.”

“The attack on the U.S. Capitol earlier this month was the latest example of domestic terrorism, but the threat of domestic terrorism remains very real. We cannot turn a blind eye to it,” said Rep. Fred Upton (MI-06). “The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act will equip our law enforcement leaders with the tools needed to help keep our homes, families, and communities across the country safe.”

“We recently witnessed hate groups, white power movements and violent conspiracy networks unite to terrorize Washington, DC. We must now focus national resources on preventing and investigating acts of domestic terrorism from the community level on up,” said Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02). “The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2021 will help prevent further hate crimes and acts of domestic terrorism that have continually plagued our communities and nation. Congress cannot delay in passing this vital legislation.”

Quotes from Senator Durbin and House members from Schneider press release, 1/19/21

.

Last Congress, DTPA overwhelmingly passed the House in a two-thirds voice vote after passing out of the House Judiciary Committee 24-2. In the Senate, Senator Durbin brought the bill on the Senate floor, only to be blocked by Senator Ron Johnson (R, WI).

The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2021 would strengthen the federal government’s efforts to prevent, report on, respond to, and investigate acts of domestic terrorism by authorizing offices dedicated to combating this threat; requiring these offices to regularly assess this threat; and providing training and resources to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement in addressing it.

DTPA would authorize three offices, one each within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), to monitor, investigate, and prosecute cases of domestic terrorism. The bill also requires these offices to provide Congress with joint biannual reports assessing the state of domestic terrorism threats, with a specific focus on white supremacists. Based on the data collected, DTPA requires these offices to focus their resources on the most significant threats.

DTPA also codifies the Domestic Terrorism Executive Committee, which would coordinate with United States Attorneys and other public safety officials to promote information sharing and ensure an effective, responsive, and organized joint effort to combat domestic terrorism. The legislation requires DOJ, FBI, and DHS to provide training and resources to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies in understanding, detecting, deterring, and investigating acts of domestic terrorism and white supremacy. Finally, DTPA directs DHS, DOJ, FBI, and the Department of Defense to establish an interagency task force to combat white supremacist infiltration of the uniformed services and federal law enforcement.

The legislation is nearly identical to the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2020, which was endorsed by a broad coalition, including the Anti-Defamation League, Arab American Institute, Bend the Arc: Jewish Action, Center for the Study of Hate & Extremism, Human Rights Campaign, Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law, The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Muslim Advocates, NAACP, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc., Sikh Coalition, Southern Poverty Law Center Action Fund, and Unidos.

=========================================

The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act (DTPA) was filed in the House under H.R. 350. Two of the House original co-sponsors are Republican Congressmen Don Bacon (NE-02) and Fred Upton (MI-06).

Kyle Rittenhouse

COMMENTARY: As the press release alludes, a DTPA passed the House back in September by a voice vote and stalled in the Senate.

The 116th Congress version of DTPA, H.R. 5602, contained the following language about IL-14 resident Kyle Rittenhouse, though not by name, under its “Findings” section:

“(10) In August 2020, a juvenile armed with a semi-automatic rifle heeded the online call posted by a self-proclaimed militia group on Facebook to confront protestors in Kenosha, Wisconsin. He allegedly shot and killed two protestors and wounded a third. After the shootings, local police officers waved the alleged murderer through their lines, even after bystanders identified him as the shooter. The armed juvenile then traveled across State lines to his home.”

From Section 2 “Findings” of H.R. 5602 (116th Congress), passed House 9/21/20

.

It was good to see H.R. 350 introduced yesterday makes no such findings referencing Kyle Rittenhouse, or any other events in last year’s H.R. 5602.

It is my honest opinion the language last year was prejudicial where Rittenhouse is concerned, and like Kenosha County prosecutors unsuccessfully tried to do earlier this month, tries to paint Rittenhouse in a light of both domestic terrorism and a white supremacist, while injecting race into a self-defense case.

This morning, the Free Kyle USA Legal Defense Fund, tweeted the following points, transcribed for ease of reading:

“Over the last 4 months, the Kenosha County District Attorney’s office [through Discovery] has investigated Kyle Rittenhouse, his family, his friends, his acquaintances, his social media history, his entire life history

“What did they find?

“Zero evidence of affiliation with any [domestic terrorism or white supremacist] group, including Proud Boys

“FACT: Kyle had never met, or spoken to, any of the men in Pudgy’s bar before that day [January 5, 2021].

“FACT: Kyle, like many of us, did not know that the “OK” hand signal meant anything nefarious.”

Free Kyle USA tweets 1/20/21

.

McHenry County Blog will track H.R. 350 through the legislative process, and how McHenry County’s two congressional House representatives, Lauren Underwood and Sean Casten, take actions on DTPA.

But if the goal of DTPA is to stop ALL domestic terrorism, it should be clear there are other types of domestic terrorists than “white supremacy”, and anyone, even in the name of religion, can incite violence through words, let alone actions.


Comments

Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act Reintroduced by Illinois Tag Team — 28 Comments

  1. Well the important thing is to divert attention away from the white supremacists so that nobody will note how much support they have from mainstream republicans.

  2. What country do you live in?

    We do not have a huge problem with “white supremacists”.

    I guess that’s why we need to invent “multiracial whiteness”.

    I guess the Xiden administration must have some sort of enemy to use as an excuse for taking away your rights.

    Yep, back to normal it is.

  3. Jim Crow, segregation, lynchings, the list of DEMOCRAT’S accomplishments for Black Americans
    goes on and on and those are the uncomfortable truths DEMOCRATS will never escape.

  4. Northierthanthou, Neal and HonestAbe1 have now publicly shown that they are Domestic Terrorists.

    Once the Bill passes expect them to be taken away to Kamela’s Reedukation Kamps!

  5. Innocent Primate, I’m aware of that flawed report, which was cited back in September at House Homeland Security Committee.

    It’s flawed because it excludes all of the violence at Black Lives Matter events since late May that turned violent.

    That was the same report that said ANTIFA is an “idea”.

  6. I’ve never known a single “white supremacist” in my life.

    Another boogeyman of the mainstream media to take attention off of the real problems.

    Also, a mainstream media nickname for people who disagree w/ them.

    “Scary” people who don’t like being controlled.

    People who believe in this fake threat are very dumb.

    Also, same people who believe that everyone should be on Covid lockdown.

    Very stupid people.

  7. Also a popular talking point of virtue signalling, liberal (white) cucks who will go down in history as being the actual fascists that they pretend to fight because they are imaginary heroes (in their own heads).

  8. That report is OBVIOUSLY flawed.

    Just ask yourself who has been behind more domestic terrorism in the past year, white supremacists or antifa?

    Who took over part of a city for weeks?

    So to me it seems the groups causing actual damage would be the bigger threat.

    You can say there are some far right groups out there that are a threat.

    That is fair.

    But you have to include antifa on your list of domestic terrorist groups or I call bs.

  9. Can’t we just use social workers?

    I’m sure they are a little confused and need some re-education lessons for a year or two.

    Using police officers seems too harsh!

  10. That’s a good point Tom.

    How do we fight domestic terrorism if we are defunding our police at the same time?

  11. A place to start on domestic terrorism is a group that chanted about police, “Pigs in a blanket, fry them like bacon”.

    The founders were tied to marxism, communism.

  12. Should DICK Durbin investigate all of the domestic terrorism in Spring, Summer in many American cites. Such as Portland, Seattle, Kenosha, Michigan Ave in Chicago, etc. The terrorism destroyed many businesses.

  13. Head of the Judiciary Committee?

    What a joke.

    This guy is as dumb as a sack of rocks.

    Also, extremely biased.

    Thank goodness, thank God, that Trump got 3 (young) conservative Supreme Court Justices nominated and installed in the Supreme Court.

    Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, Comey.

  14. This communist ‘law’ will create millions of White Nationalists.

    It throws liquid oxygen on the flames of secession!

    Keep it up!

  15. John Lopez & Neal

    “Among DVEs, racially and ethnically motivated violent extremists—specifically white supremacist extremists (WSEs)—will remain the most persistent and lethal threat in the Homeland. Spikes in other DVE threats probably will depend on political or social issues that often mobilize other ideological actors to violence, such as immigration, environmental, and police-related policy issues.” (Report at 18 (footnote omitted)).

    https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/publications/2020_10_06_homeland-threat-assessment.pdf

    Persistent as opposed to occasional spikes triggered by transitory, local social issues.

    I believe I’ll continue to rely upon the October, 2020, assessment of DHS.

  16. Re: 11:02 PM comment on Jan 20

    “white supremacist extremists (WSEs)—will remain the most persistent and lethal threat in the Homeland.”

    That is BS, lies and nonsense propagated by the Dufus Biden, Democrats and the left wing media.

    Just saw a news report on tv whereby carjackings in Chicago and the suburbs are increasing. Report said that young men and teenagers of a certain race are the main culprits. Sometimes the vehicle owner is injured by the carjackers.

    Also, armed and other robberies are prevalent in Chicago and the suburbs. This is well documented every day in the newspapers as well as on tv news programs.

    The most persistent and lethal threat in the “Homeland” in 2020 was riots, vandalism, looting, arson. Look at what happened in Chicago on Michigan Ave and in other cities such as Portland, Seattle, Kenosha, etc.

  17. So, how do we explain antifa attacking the dnc offices in Portland last night?

    We are going on 8 months of this and that’s not persistent?

    I’m sorry I know what the dems are trying but if you can’t keep your own terrorists in check people are not going to buy it.

    It’s almost like they want this.

  18. LMAO… these people are so scared and stupid it is beyond words oldickie…

    you are going to let 11million more people in to our Country illegally, but this is what your worried about…

    you are all out to lunch!

    you have no issues stopping the border wall, but making sure you surround your Chicken azz with barbwire fence,cause you have pissed off all the true Americans who know that you all cheated, its ok to spend our $$ on this…

    unbelievable just shows you are as guilty as the Sin you committed…

  19. bred winner

    Actually, the Report was issued by DHS (not the media) in October, 2020, while President Trump was in office.

    I kinda doubt Mr. Biden, who was not in government at the time, had any influence over or input with respect to the Report’s conclusions.

    What “certain race” are you referring to ?

    Asians ?

  20. Primate, you lie like a flea infested rug. But that’s what commies do.

  21. **So, how do we explain antifa attacking the dnc offices in Portland last night?**

    I love the argument that says, “No, white supremacist extremists will NOT remain the most persistent and lethal threat in the Homeland, because other people commit crimes too.”

    But sure… the Trump-run Department of Homeland Security intentionally was ignoring BLM because of… Joe Biden and the media?

    Cool cool.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *