Frankel condemns move by Homeland Security to disband domestic terror intel group

Squirrel Hill rep says anti-domestic terror resources should be increased

Rep. Dan B. Frankel    April 2, 2019 | 4:13 PM

PITTSBURGH, April 2 – A reported move by the federal Homeland Security Department to disband a group of intelligence agents focused on domestic terrorism and homegrown extremists comes at a time when the federal government should be increasing resources to counter these groups, said state Rep. Dan Frankel, D-Allegheny.

“Domestic terrorism and right-wing extremism have forever changed my community, who lost 11 innocent people last year to homegrown hate,” Frankel said. “This is the time to increase resources to study these groups and stop them before more lives are lost.

 “Soon, I will introduce a package of bills to address hate crimes more fully at the state level, but I am disappointed to learn that we cannot count on our federal counterparts to be a full partner in our effort to keep all people safe and secure.”

According to media reports, the intelligence group in question was a branch of analysts in DHS’s Office of Intelligence and Analysis. They focused on the threat from homegrown violent extremists and domestic terrorists. Those analysts shared their information with state and local law enforcement to help them protect their communities from these threats.

A Southern Poverty Law Center analysis released last month found that hate group activity reached a record high last year. Their report is available at: https://www.splcenter.org/news/2019/02/19/hate-groups-reach-record-high
 

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