Durbin Joins Senate Dems To Introduce Resolution Denouncing Pervasive Threat Of Domestic Terrorism And White Supremacy

WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), incoming Chair of the Senate Judiciary Committee, and Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) joined Senate Intelligence Committee Member Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and Senate Democrats to introduce a resolution expressing the sense of the Senate on the imminent and pervasive threat of domestic terrorism, violent white supremacists, neo-Nazis, anti-government militias, and dangerous, fringe conspiracy theories to the democratic institutions and values of the United States. The new resolution also calls on the Federal Bureau of Investigation and United States intelligence community to immediately review the threat posed by domestic terrorist groups, including an examination of the growth of such groups within the United States and the use of social media and other forms of communication to recruit new members to organize and plan acts of violence.

“For years, I have raised concerns about the threat of domestic terrorism and violent white supremacists and other far-right extremists. Unfortunately, the threat has continued to grow, and the national security of our nation is at risk. The Senate must speak in one voice to condemn this evil and re-double our efforts to combat it,” Durbin said.

“Last month’s insurrection made clear that the threat we face from white supremacists and domestic terrorists is an increasingly pressing one that endangers our national security,” Duckworth said. “This alarming trend requires immediate action, which is why I’m joining my colleagues in introducing this resolution that condemns these groups and takes action to help stop the spread of their evil ideology.” 

The resolution introduced today follows the January 6th attack on the U.S. Capitol in which a group of domestic terrorists and insurrectionists launched a planned, coordinated, and deadly effort intended to overturn the results of a free and fair democratic election. The attack was intended to harm law enforcement officers, fellow citizens, Members of Congress, and directly resulted in the death of U.S. Capitol police officer Brian D. Sicknick.

Durbin, Duckworth, Schumer, Heinrich, and Senate Democrats are calling for a review of the targeting and recruitment of current and former members of the United States military and law enforcement for domestic terrorist attacks, the financing of domestic terrorist groups, and the coordination of such groups with foreign actors, including foreign military and intelligence services. The resolution calls for an assessment of the resources and training available to law enforcement agencies to prioritize the investigation and prosecution of such groups.

A PDF of the resolution is available here.

Joining Durbin, Duckworth, Heinrich, and Schumer in signing today’s resolution include Senators Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Ron Wyden (D-OR), Jack Reed (D-RI), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), and Cory Booker (D-NJ).

Since 2017, Durbin has been the lead Senate sponsor of the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act, which would enhance the federal government’s efforts to prevent domestic terrorism by establishing offices dedicated to combating this threat; requiring federal law enforcement agencies to regularly assess this threat; and providing training and resources to assist state, local, and tribal law enforcement in addressing it.

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