In 2009 Homeland Security's Office of Intelligence and Analysis, Homeland Environment Threat Analysis Division, Extremism and Radicalization Branch, in coordination with the FBI, prepared an assessment named:
"Rightwing Extremism: Current Economic and Political Climate Fueling Resurgence in Radicalization and Recruitment"
While I'm not a specialist in these matters, I'm not impressed by the quality of this assessment. Firstly it is rambling and not well structured. Secondly it focusses on right-wing extremist groups and their growth, while more or less ignoring the potential of growing right-wing extremism among individuals and the general population.
The 2009 report finds there is: "No specific information that domestic rightwing terrorists are currently planning acts of violence, but right-wing 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 present unique drivers for right-wing radicalization and recruitment".
The details follow. New rightwing extremists are recruited by:
- exploiting the economic downturn
- criticism of free trade agreements (particularly those with Mexico)
- illegal immigrants taking away American jobs
- loss of US manufacturing jobs
- anticipated economic collapse in the United States
- the election of the first African American president
- exploitation of social issues (abortion, inter-racial crimes, same-sex marriage)
- anti-immigration fervor with the potential to turn violent against specific groups
- threat of gun control legislation and the price of ammunition
- threats from other countries (China, Russia)
- disgruntled military veterans
Compare this to Donald Trump's platform. Add the newer topics of ObamaCare and fear of Islam. And there you have it, Donald Trump's platform is complete, in writing, word and deed.
What does it mean when a presidential candidate uses a Homeland Security risk report on right-wing extremist recruitment as a basis for his election platform?