Including the seeking to accelerate the society. This is something happening on the left, the right, anywhere on the political spectrum with violence, pending society, threatening institutions and weve got to look at it and that is what we are doing today. So, it is incredibly irrelevant to think which groups we look at so long looking at the principles of fresh in peoples lives. Some of these movements stem from ideology that are decades old and others are relatively new. Some range from decentralized to more structured militia groups. Its one of the Common Threads we often see a overlap with bringing these into common cause of with others who are extremist in nature. They have a collective opportunity to discuss the current Threat Landscape so we can develop an understanding of how they flourish in the communities and mind space. We have seen horrific acts of violence. A man in texas was arrested after straining a Facebook Live searching for a Law Enforcement officer to ambush and children and men in california shot and killed the department of Homeland Security federal protective Service Officer and wounded one more. And then went on to kill a Santa Cruz Deputy sheriff officer before being arrested. She wrote the word do in blood. Three were arrested anticlockwise matter protest in las vegas. Two men in oklahoma were arrested found in possession of illegally modifieds machine gu, all connected to the movement. The list goes on and on and on. So, it is important today that we recite the way that its interested other populist extremist groups. There are two groups weve looked at particularly during our discussion. We will be asking some really critical questions today. Principally its what the hell do we do about this. What we do, what is the federal government do, what can and should social media to do, what dodo we do in a collaborative wy mandatory way. We have a shared responsibility across the public and private sectors. The lives of Law Enforcement officials are on the line in so many of these instances. The lives of innocent citizens who are congregating in protests are on the line. And i do believe in so many ways the future of the country into the constitution is on the line. With that, the chair recognizes the Ranking Member of the subcommittee the gentleman from north carolina, mr. Walker. You are on mute, my friend. Thank you, mr. Chairman terry theres no doubt that across the globe is a there is an uptick in extremist ideology particularly linked to the supremacy and the committee created after 9 11 we must stay focused on the jihadi threat. And these movements they see the adoption of acceleration is rhetoric that calls to target government institutions and Law Enforcement to commit acts of violence as a means of creating further unrest. We see this concept in my discipline is the movement from antigovernment groups and some environmental organizations. Avthis convergence of the violet ideology results in the sharing of tactics and propaganda in the spreading of misinformation and conspiracies as the hostess of celebration of violence. I should start by expressing my condolences to the families of David Underwood of the dhs protected Security Officers and a Santa Cruz Deputy chairman just mentioned. They were murdered in the line of duty. I also want to express support and hope for the speedy recovery of those injured in the attacks. The suspect believed to be responsible has been arrested and in the fbi they are conducting a full investigation including into the possible support for the movement which is an acceleration is turned. We also must review others as the chairman just mentioned, iai appreciate deans attacks are on all americans. I know that seems to be these days kind of a conservative talking point, but its not. The damage that they were doing. A reporter was in my office and you can still see the injuries. Has been a consistent effort to implement protests. In portland they cited that its cost the city tens of millions of dollars. These are the kind of things we must stand together regardless of the politics. We need to move forward. The reality is that its not an organization. We understand that that is an ideology into the people involved if the continued violence around the city they are part of these movements. We can agree that all of these movements and any other Extremist Movement must be condemned and i think that is why the hearing is crucial today. On all sides they are attempting to hijack the protests and interrupt debate on the institutional reforms. Some are targeting protesters, some are attacking Police Officers and many are vandalizing buildings in seeking to create the socalled autonomous zones. We need an effort to condemn the violence and restore order. I want to thank the witnesses were appearing in a record to to the testimony and yield back my time with. I think the Ranking Member. Members are reminded they will operate in accordance with the guidelines of. The chair recognizes the chairman of the full committee for an opening statement. The chair now recognizes the Ranking Member of the full committee mr. Rogers for an opening statement. Theres chairman thompson. If you like they will now recognize you for a statement. Thank you very much, chairman. Thank you for convening this timely hearing today and for your leadership. This committee is known for following the threats wherever they may lead. Today that brings us here. This is an opportunity to examine the emerging threat from violent antigovernment extremists. Todays hearing is the first congressional hearing that focuses specifically on the emerging threat and i applaud the chairman for examining this issue. It is important that members and the American Public hear from these experts today and understand those emerging threats. Recent attacks showcase the individuals affiliated in the movement. This collection of extremists present in immediat and immediao Law Enforcement and the american people. As our experts will share in their written testimony, this movement is complex and requires a nuanced understanding. It appears to be antigovernment, constantly changing. The Common Thread is designed to accelerate society towards a second more and that means many of them are driven to commit violence. It is imperative that the department of Homeland Security and other federal agencies immediately devote resources towards understanding these threats. Understand that this is aul difficult issue, but its not acceptable for dhs to remain in the dark. Law enforcement officials remain a top target of these individuals and extremists, whichh means that its even more urgent for dhs to produce and disseminate information to state and local Law Enforcement so they can stay ahead of the threat. Federal resources must be appropriately allocated. We need to follow the thread. We shouldnt be persuaded by the political winds. It goes without saying Property Damage in any and all violence linked should be condemned by bt public reporting and arrest records, the governments own reporting all indicate the rightwing extremists pose a moreic urgent threat to america. We are hearing today from those experts about the threats facing americans. I look forward to the discussion on how the violence that has utilized for many platforms to their advantage. This has been a major concern of mine over the last congress and one of the reasons i introduced the National Commission on Online Platforms and Homeland Security act the commission would seek to understand the factors including extremists that support Online Platforms and the furthering of violence. The bipartisan separation was of the committee in october 2019 and awaits action from colleagues in the commerce committee. The committee will continue to shed light on how social media platforms are exploited and also hold accountable when they fail to enforce the policies they set forth to combat extremists. Im pleased the witnesses have joined us today and again i thank the chairman for convening this hearing and i will yield back. Thank you, mr. Chairman. I now welcomed the panel of extraordinary witnesses. The first witness is jj mcnabb at the George Washington university. Hes one of the foremost experts on antigovernment extremism and militia groups in the whole country. The second with his his cofounder and executive Vice President oexecutive vicepresidt against hate and extremism. More than two decades of experience studying and fighting extremism including ridding the Southern Poverty Law Center intelligence product. The third and final with mrs. Jack donahue a fellow at the Miller Center for protection and resiliency of the universi university. The former chief of Strategic Initiatives at the new York City Police department with experience with his time at the nypd. Thank you for your Extraordinary Service to new york city with the men in blue, the greatest place to protect not only in the history of the country but i believe in the p history of the world thank you for your Extraordinary Service to the country. Thank you. Without objectionable statements will be inserted into the record and i now ask each to summarize his or her statement for five minutes beginning with mr. Mcnabb. Thank you. Chairman, Ranking Member and distinguished members of the subcommittee, thank you for giving me the opportunity to testify today. Im a Research Fellow at george onhington University Program extremism with remarks and opinions im going to fix this on my own. Im here to talk about the militant substantive antigovernment t Extremist Movement. People who want to change or topple the country by force. Like any large movement,an the group goes through cycles and in the months following the 2016 election, the supremacy groups experienced a meteoric rise and militant extremists joined and were relatively quiet. In general, they are antigovernment for a time. However, the renewed conversations about the control and stress from the pandemic, the mainstream of the state and antivaccine conspiracy theories, high unemployment rates, civil unrest in major u. S. Cities and the extreme divisiveness plaguing the upcoming election have triggered a recent rebirth in the militant groups. Ve the movement for example the membership includes Police Officers from activevepe duty military and not a veterans shifted from armed standoff with federal agents to providing arms support to Small Businesses violating stayathome pandemic organizing armedov guards to protect from leftist violence. Ar the 3 organization is a hybrid between a private paramilitary Militia Network and club. The Group Believes the use 3 to band together to overthrow the current government in each subgroup is independent on the other. There is no central Leadership Structure so despite the large numbers, its kept them from becomingth significant force. The pair on the terri militia were a much smaller segment of thee movement. The groups engage in training and have you with organized structure in each chapter and even though many states prohibit their activities, they offer it with impunity. The segment as people mentioned is the boogaloo movement. The revolution where armed patriot rise up and overthrow its radical government as in the extremists for decades. The look went viral. The tribal aesthetics that separated those from those who were not. Most boogaloo members are anarchists even the Major Players with a major red flag for example this includes red floodwalls or any legislation viewed as a foot in the door. Another potential issue is the pandemic that is placing significant stress on the groups groups. The states return to lockdown status and determined individuals and small groups will lash out violently against the government, Law Enforcement, medical professionals, essential workers, contact tracers and medical infrastructure. For revolution. These groups know they need a catalyst, a big event. They need a ruby ridge or waco so they can be the next mcveigh. Most are waiting for the big event but there are some that will do what they have to to force this occurrence. Thank you for your time. Chairman rose thank you for your testimony. And how on social media to have those revolutionary ideas often disguised as inside jokes or codewords the codeword for the second revolution in protest that played the semi automatic rifles and then to encourage violence in the video Gaming Committee they by no means are alonen and that shows online the social media spaces with a have seen exponential growth of the most. In america these messages have broken into the Mainstream Media advocating the murder of Law Enforcement and with those Peaceful Protesters as a subterfuge that are now being widely circulated on i social media. Regardless of ideology with Law Enforcement was civil unrest there has always been the inherent tension between Law Enforcement and policing protest they are the most visible representatives and then to protest against us that is a constitutionale righ. We are sworn regardless of the content of the speech and whatever controversy or how seem thesial it may constitutional right is to bear arms some permit open care we lawfully while others outlawed the practice both have scrutiny with some exceptions. In real life with tens of thousands with the point of constitutional law doesnt work thats why they are at a disadvantage specifically challenge when they become the target of the protest as more recently observed on the right hand on thehe left on enforcement needs information that smart government and preventing overreach what Law Enforcement needs want an exception with cryptic communication into those channels thats where the tactics and opportunities are shared and for occupation carrying semi automatic weapons that grows exponentially. And with any social Media Companies they must remain vigilant but the timeframe may be remarkably short. As a last line of defense because they become the ultimate target with the online movements are notwl predictable. And then to preserve Civil Society y. Thank you for having us here. No thank you for your testimony and we now recognize you for your statement. Ranking member of the subcommittee thank you very much for inviting me to testify today. Its a great honor im the cofounder of the new establish Global Project have been researching more than 20 years this is of the utmost importance with the global and increasingly Violent Movement with neonazi movement they are all interested to bring about the collapse of democracy to terrorist violence. The accelerators or extremist recruiting and growing in a way that was never before possible primarily at the feet of the Tech Companies that adequately the content on their platforms the fbi considers risk of violence from white supremacist as those of former terrorist like isys. Dhs the state Department Government agencies and independent experts all agree that is a metastasizing problem will be dealing with in the longterm the tragedies in pittsburgh and christchurch are testaments inspired by the movements a broad right now taking advantage of the pandemic to spread hate for those they wrongly blame over covid19 with protesters and Police Officers and then to intensify the approach of the election. Descriptions laid out in detail in my written testimony so like the opportunity to offerre recommendations if we dont accept them. Online platforms are driving extremism but with the new technology and extremist today do the same. Starting in 2015 the perpetrators almost entirely online rather than the real world that is all forms of extremism right and left and islamic an Online Platforms where plans are hatched drying in recruits Event Planning and inside jokes but that is how they treat content and as the accepted strategy push by our government and practice by the ppet companies and with the social media platforms allow the propaganda to be monetized but thats what happens with White Supremacy not until 2017 after the charlottesville riots they took a seriously to ramp up enforcement. There hasnt been enough. Now with the anti muslim sentiment my newvi organization dozens of youtube videos posted by the White Internati