FBI warns North Texas law enforcement of possible increase in anti-government violence
The FBI’s Dallas field office has warned North Texas law enforcement of an increasing threat of violence from militia extremists and other anti-government groups.
North Texas law enforcement agencies received a report in recent days in regards to boogaloo supporters — a loosely organized far-right movement — and other such groups who could pose a threat.
The internal report, dated Sept. 29, was leaked to The Nation, which first reported the story.
“While our standard practice is to not comment on specific intelligence products, the FBI routinely shares information with our law enforcement partners in order to assist in protecting the communities they serve,” said Melinda Urbina, a spokeswoman with the FBI-Dallas division, in a Thursday email to the Star-Telegram. “This particular document was shared with our partners in the North Texas area.”
According to the FBI assessment, officials believe the goal of the boogaloo supporters is a large-scale violent conflict with the government resulting in a second civil war.
In 2020, U.S. authorities have made several arrests of boogaloo supporters accused of violent acts.
The FBI-Dallas office noted the boogaloo adherents are likely influencing people who are already suspicious of the government to participate in online and in person anti-government events.
The assessments are based on social media, law enforcement reporting and interviews with residents, according to the document.
The FBI report indicates the increase in violence could be until the January 2021 inauguration with the presidential election acting as a potential flash point.
Some factors in the potential for violence include the presence of existing anti-government or anti-authority violent extremists, the feeling of government overreach, tensions because of COVID-19 restrictions, and violence instigated at otherwise peaceful protests, the report says.
FBI officials also noted a significant increase of violent social media posts by boogaloo supporters in Texas.
This story was originally published October 1, 2020 at 4:15 PM.
