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Terrorism cases are "the FBI's number one priority," the FBI
official said, noting that every one of the bureau's U.S. field
offices is affiliated with a local "joint terrorism task force"
involving both federal and local law enforcement agencies.
While militants linked to international terrorism can be
prosecuted under U.S. federal laws introduced after the Sept.
11, 2001 attacks on Washington and New York City, no similar
federal laws cover domestic terrorism.
Recent violent extremist attacks in the United States include
the killing of 11 people at a synagogue in Pittsburgh last
October and a shooting in Kansas in 2017 when an Indian
immigrant was killed by an assailant who thought the victim was
Middle Eastern.
The figures show international terrorism remains a major focus
for the FBI, but the bureau is increasingly treating domestic
terrorism as an equally important concern.
The official said domestic terrorism cases relate to racially
motivated extremism; anti-government attacks, animal-rights
related attacks, and attacks involving abortion clinics or
anti-abortion rights protesters.
The internet remains a main source of radicalization for
domestic and U.S.-based international terrorists. "Terrorism
moves at the speed of the internet," the official said.
Given the availability of radical messages in cyberspace, the
official said, "homegrown violent extremists" - those inspired
by foreign movements like Islamic State - now can become self
radicalized in just months.
"Attacks inspire attacks," the official added, noting that
attacks such as one against mosques in New Zealand are the type
which have inspired or been copied by other attackers.
(Reporting by Mark Hosenball; Editing by Kevin Drawbaugh and
Alistair Bell)
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