An FBI police car stands outside FBI headquarters, days after the Trump administration launched a sweeping round of cuts at the Justice Department, in Washington, U.S., February 3, 2025. REUTERS/Kevin Lamarque/File Photo
FBI Shifts Focus on Domestic Terrorism: Staffing and Tools Reduced
Recent developments within the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) suggest a reorganization of resources related to domestic terrorism investigations, particularly those addressing white supremacist and anti-government extremist threats. Sources familiar with these changes indicate that staffing in the office focused on domestic terrorism has been reduced, and a tool previously used to track such investigations has been discontinued. These alterations raise concerns about the FBI’s ability to effectively monitor and counter the threat posed by these extremist groups.
Shift in Priorities under FBI Leadership
The changes, which reportedly began under FBI Director Kash Patel, are perceived by some as an indication that domestic terrorism may be receiving less attention. Patel, a known critic of the FBI’s domestic terrorism efforts, has directed a reduction in resources allocated to monitoring these threats. According to several sources, approximately 16 employees were reassigned from the FBI’s Domestic Terrorism Operations Section, which plays a critical role in supporting investigations across the country. This move follows discussions about potentially disbanding the section entirely, although a final decision has not yet been made.
Discontinuation of Key Tools
The FBI has also ceased using a system that tagged investigations connected to domestic terrorism. This tagging practice was instrumental in helping the agency track trends and maintain a comprehensive overview of ongoing investigations across its field offices. The removal of these tags could potentially hinder the FBI’s ability to identify and analyze patterns of domestic terrorist activity.
Impact on Domestic Terrorism Threat Monitoring
The timing of these changes raises concerns, particularly in light of the growing threat of domestic violent extremism. U.S. officials have repeatedly warned that white supremacists and militia groups pose significant security risks to the nation. Experts, such as Jacob Ware from the Council on Foreign Relations, have expressed alarm that the reduction in resources and focus on domestic terrorism could compromise the nation’s ability to combat these threats effectively.
FBI’s Official Response
In response to inquiries regarding these developments, the FBI issued a statement asserting its commitment to safeguarding the U.S. from a broad range of threats, including terrorism, violent crime, drug trafficking, and cyberattacks. The agency emphasized that its work remains focused on providing safer communities for citizens, but did not directly address the specific changes regarding domestic terrorism investigations.
Historical Context and Prior Shifts
The FBI’s heightened attention to domestic terrorism began in earnest following the 2017 white nationalist rally in Charlottesville, Virginia, and gained further momentum after the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol. The FBI’s 2023 report indicated approximately 2,700 active domestic terrorism investigations, about half of which were related to the Capitol riot. This represented a significant increase from the roughly 1,000 investigations reported in 2020. White supremacists were identified as the most consistent threat, although the FBI acknowledged that violent extremists often operate under a combination of ideological motivations.
Political and Public Reactions
These changes come amid ongoing debates over the FBI’s handling of domestic terrorism investigations. Republican lawmakers and allies of former President Donald Trump have criticized the agency’s previous efforts, accusing it of unfairly targeting conservatives. A recent congressional hearing in 2023 featured testimony from former FBI agents who claimed they were pressured to label more cases as domestic terrorism. These claims were part of a broader political narrative that alleged the FBI had politicized its investigations to target right-wing groups.
Following the criticism, some members of Congress, including Representative Jim Jordan, have welcomed the FBI’s decision to remove the tagging system. Jordan’s spokesperson referred to the move as a positive step toward restoring the FBI’s focus on its primary mission of combating crime.
Domestic Terrorism and Immigration Focus
Simultaneously, there has been a shift in focus toward other threats, particularly those linked to President Trump’s immigration policies. The FBI’s Joint Terrorism Task Forces, which investigate both domestic and international terrorism, have been tasked with supporting the administration’s immigration enforcement efforts. This reallocation of resources underscores the changing priorities within the agency under the current leadership.
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