Donald Trump's brush with death on Saturday (Jul&nbsp;13) will be investigated as a potential act of "domestic terrorism," announced the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Sunday (Jul&nbsp;14).

"We are investigating this as an assassination attempt, but also looking at it as a potential domestic terrorism act," said Robert Wells, the assistant director of the FBI counterterrorism division, while talking to reporters.

Updating the press about the shooter Thomas Crooks' motives, Wells said that the shooter acted alone and had no known ideology.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-shooter-thomas-crooks-was-a-nice-kid-who-got-bullied-reveal-his-former-classmates-740875">Trump shooter Thomas Crooks was a 'nice kid' who got 'bullied so much' reveal his former classmates</a>

<h2>What is 'domestic terrorism'?</h2>

Also known as home-grown terrorism, it is a form of terrorism in which victims "within a country are targeted by a perpetrator with the same citizenship" as the victims.

The FBI defines it as "Violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups to further ideological goals stemming from domestic influences, such as those of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature."

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/trump-shooting-us-president-biden-uses-oval-office-to-address-americans-was-it-a-subtle-flex-of-power-740907">Trump Shooting | US President Biden uses Oval Office to address Americans: Was it a subtle flex of power?</a>

<h2>Crooks' motives</h2>

Even as the FBI continues to investigate 20-year-old Thomas Crooks' motivations for the attack on Trump, Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the FBI's Pittsburgh field office, said that, so far, they have not found any evidence of mental health issues.

Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder told reporters that Crooks did not have any military affiliations.

Media reports, citing the 20-year-old Pennsylvania man's former classmates, have reported that he was&nbsp;a "nice kid who never talked poorly of anyone."

Crooks'&nbsp;childhood friend Jameson Myers also said,&nbsp;"I never have thought him capable of anything I've seen him do in the last few days."

<h2>US' Domestic Terrorism Act</h2>

The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2023 authorizes domestic terrorism components within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to monitor, analyse, investigate, and prosecute incidents of domestic terrorism.

(With inputs from agencies)

Donald Trump's brush with death on Saturday (Jul 13) will be investigated as a potential act of "domestic terrorism," announced the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Sunday (Jul 14).

Donald Trump's brush with death on Saturday (Jul 13) will be investigated as a potential act of "domestic terrorism," announced the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on Sunday (Jul 14). "We are investigating this as an assassination attempt, but also looking at it as a potential domestic terrorism act," said Robert Wells, the assistant director of the FBI counterterrorism division, while talking to reporters. Updating the press about the shooter Thomas Crooks' motives, Wells said that the shooter acted alone and had no known ideology. Also read | Trump shooter Thomas Crooks was a 'nice kid' who got 'bullied so much' reveal his former classmates What is 'domestic terrorism'? Also known as home-grown terrorism, it is a form of terrorism in which victims "within a country are targeted by a perpetrator with the same citizenship" as the victims. The FBI defines it as "Violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups to further ideological goals stemming from domestic influences, such as those of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature." Also read | Trump Shooting | US President Biden uses Oval Office to address Americans: Was it a subtle flex of power? Crooks' motives Even as the FBI continues to investigate 20-year-old Thomas Crooks' motivations for the attack on Trump, Kevin Rojek, special agent in charge of the FBI's Pittsburgh field office, said that, so far, they have not found any evidence of mental health issues. Pentagon spokesperson Pat Ryder told reporters that Crooks did not have any military affiliations. Media reports, citing the 20-year-old Pennsylvania man's former classmates, have reported that he was a "nice kid who never talked poorly of anyone." Crooks' childhood friend Jameson Myers also said, "I never have thought him capable of anything I've seen him do in the last few days." US' Domestic Terrorism Act The Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2023 authorizes domestic terrorism components within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to monitor, analyse, investigate, and prosecute incidents of domestic terrorism. (With inputs from agencies)

FBI to investigate Trump shooting as act of 'domestic terrorism'. What does this mean?

United States is witnessing a surge in domestic terrorism and a new federal report claims the current situation is the gravest in over 24 years.

The report, released jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security claims that killings in 2019 by domestic extremists in the country were the worst seen in the States over the last two decades.

2019 was the most lethal year for domestic terrorism since 1995. 32 instances of killings were reported in the country in 2019. Out of these, 24 were committed by white supremacists, as the report points out.

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The report claims that “gamification” was the real source of inspiration for the assaults that rocked the country in 2019. As part of such killings, the perpetrators focus on the “kill count” of their violence, with the aim to kill as many people as possible.

The report further adds that gamification would continue to inspire similar attacks in the future across the United States. Between 2017-2019, 57 deaths directly linked to domestic terrorism were reported in the report. Out of these, 47 deaths were flagged as dictated by race.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/world/us-department-of-homeland-security-launches-internal-review-to-tackle-extremism-380717" hreflang="en">US Department of Homeland Security launches internal review to tackle extremism</a>

“The greatest terrorism threat to the Homeland we face today is posed by lone offenders, often radicalized online, who look to attack soft targets with easily accessible weapons,” the report reads.

The report adds that “violent extremists” were motivated by a “mix of socio-political goals and personal grievances” against their targets. The threat posed by domestic terror is expected to grow in the US in the coming years, with deaths rising from 2017-2019.

Also read:&nbsp;<a href="http://13.235.153.162/opinions-blogs/the-domestic-terrorist-designation-wont-stop-extremism-309850" hreflang="en">The ‘domestic terrorist’ designation won’t stop extremism</a>

“In 2019, the FBI and DHS assessed Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremists, primarily those advocating for the superiority of the white race, likely would continue to be the most lethal Domestic Violent Extremist threat to the Homeland,” the further said.

The report also claimed that rightwing extremists were able to gather weapons to conduct attacks in the midst of online messaging for increased violence in the country during 2019.

"Political disagreements within the United States could present opportunities for Domestic Violent Extremists to engage in violence against individuals perceived to have opposing ideologies, prominent political or public figures, or members of the media covering these events”, the report warned.

United States is witnessing a surge in domestic terrorism and a new federal report claims the current situation is the gravest in over 24 years. The report, released jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security claims that killings in 2019 by domestic extremists in the country were the worst seen in the States over the last two decades.

United States is witnessing a surge in domestic terrorism and a new federal report claims the current situation is the gravest in over 24 years. The report, released jointly by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security claims that killings in 2019 by domestic extremists in the country were the worst seen in the States over the last two decades. 2019 was the most lethal year for domestic terrorism since 1995. 32 instances of killings were reported in the country in 2019. Out of these, 24 were committed by white supremacists, as the report points out. The report claims that “gamification” was the real source of inspiration for the assaults that rocked the country in 2019. As part of such killings, the perpetrators focus on the “kill count” of their violence, with the aim to kill as many people as possible. The report further adds that gamification would continue to inspire similar attacks in the future across the United States. Between 2017-2019, 57 deaths directly linked to domestic terrorism were reported in the report. Out of these, 47 deaths were flagged as dictated by race. Also read: US Department of Homeland Security launches internal review to tackle extremism “The greatest terrorism threat to the Homeland we face today is posed by lone offenders, often radicalized online, who look to attack soft targets with easily accessible weapons,” the report reads. The report adds that “violent extremists” were motivated by a “mix of socio-political goals and personal grievances” against their targets. The threat posed by domestic terror is expected to grow in the US in the coming years, with deaths rising from 2017-2019. Also read: The ‘domestic terrorist’ designation won’t stop extremism “In 2019, the FBI and DHS assessed Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremists, primarily those advocating for the superiority of the white race, likely would continue to be the most lethal Domestic Violent Extremist threat to the Homeland,” the further said. The report also claimed that rightwing extremists were able to gather weapons to conduct attacks in the midst of online messaging for increased violence in the country during 2019. "Political disagreements within the United States could present opportunities for Domestic Violent Extremists to engage in violence against individuals perceived to have opposing ideologies, prominent political or public figures, or members of the media covering these events”, the report warned.

USA's domestic extremism worst in over two decades, reveals new federal report

US spy agencies have said that racially motivated extremists and militia extremists present the most lethal domestic terrorism threats, adding the threats could grow this year.

The assessment issued by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said racially motivated extremists were most likely to conduct major attacks against civilians, while militia members typically target police and government personnel and buildings.

The report defines “racially-motivated extremists” as those with “ideological agendas bias, often related to race or ethnicity”.

Alongside racially-motivated violence, militia violence “present the most lethal [domestic violent extremism] threat” to “law enforcement and government personnel and facilities”.

The agencies who contributed to the report, including the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Counterterrorism Center, said that domestic extremists who promote white racial superiority have potentially troubling contacts with foreign extremists and that a small number of American extremists have traveled abroad to network with overseas counterparts.

The agencies said that other domestic extremist categories which concern government investigators include animal rights and environmental activists, anti-abortion protesters, anarchists and people who call themselves sovereign citizens who "believe they are immune from government authority and laws."

The report concluded that “escalating support from persons in the United States or abroad, growing perceptions of government overreach related to legal or policy changes and disruptions, and high-profile attacks spurring follow-on attacks” could cause the threat of violence to increase in 2021 and beyond.

The agencies said that recent political and social developments -- such as claims by Republican former President Donald Trump and his supporters about fraud in the recent US presidential election, restrictions related to COVID-19, fallout from the January 6 US Capitol riot, and conspiracy theories - "will almost certainly spur" some domestic extremists "to try to engage in violence this year."

Five people died after the riot, including one US Capitol Police officer.

(with inputs)

US spy agencies have said that racially motivated extremists and militia extremists present the most lethal domestic terrorism threats, adding the threats could grow this year.

US spy agencies have said that racially motivated extremists and militia extremists present the most lethal domestic terrorism threats, adding the threats could grow this year. The assessment issued by the Office of the Director of National Intelligence said racially motivated extremists were most likely to conduct major attacks against civilians, while militia members typically target police and government personnel and buildings. The report defines “racially-motivated extremists” as those with “ideological agendas bias, often related to race or ethnicity”. Alongside racially-motivated violence, militia violence “present the most lethal [domestic violent extremism] threat” to “law enforcement and government personnel and facilities”. The agencies who contributed to the report, including the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security and the National Counterterrorism Center, said that domestic extremists who promote white racial superiority have potentially troubling contacts with foreign extremists and that a small number of American extremists have traveled abroad to network with overseas counterparts. The agencies said that other domestic extremist categories which concern government investigators include animal rights and environmental activists, anti-abortion protesters, anarchists and people who call themselves sovereign citizens who "believe they are immune from government authority and laws." The report concluded that “escalating support from persons in the United States or abroad, growing perceptions of government overreach related to legal or policy changes and disruptions, and high-profile attacks spurring follow-on attacks” could cause the threat of violence to increase in 2021 and beyond. The agencies said that recent political and social developments -- such as claims by Republican former President Donald Trump and his supporters about fraud in the recent US presidential election, restrictions related to COVID-19, fallout from the January 6 US Capitol riot, and conspiracy theories - "will almost certainly spur" some domestic extremists "to try to engage in violence this year." Five people died after the riot, including one US Capitol Police officer. (with inputs)

US spy agencies warn of growing domestic terrorism threat

FBI Director Christopher Wray condemned the attack on the US Capitol as "domestic terrorism," and defended the bureau's handling of intelligence of violence on January 6.

FBI Director Wray says Capitol attack was domestic terrorism

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