All political violence is a threat to democracy. As the Trump Administration tries to use the shooting of Charlie Kirk as an excuse to violate the First Amendment rights of Americans and launch a war against anyone who disagrees with them, there is an inconvenient truth that goes against their narrative… Right-wing extremism is the central driver of domestic terrorism in the United States. When facts get in the way, Trump’s DOJ tries to delete them, as you will see if you try to access the report on the DOJ’s website at https://www.ojp.gov/pdffiles1/nij/306123.pdf:

But you can download the full report here (PDF): WHAT NIJ RESEARCH
TELLS US ABOUT DOMESTIC TERRORISM

The Department of Justice’s own research proves what the Anti-Defamation League and other organizations have concluded for years. The far-right is the primary driver of political violence.

We’ve summarized the study that Trump and Bondi didn’t want you to read.

Right-Wing Extremism: The Central Driver of Domestic Terrorism in the United States

The report from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) underscores a sobering reality: right-wing extremism remains the most persistent and deadly form of domestic terrorism in the United States. Drawing from decades of federal research, the report maps out the scope of violent extremism and provides an evidence-based picture of which ideologies pose the greatest threat to public safety.

---

Historical Context and Scope of Violence

NIJ research shows that domestic terrorism in the U.S. is not a new phenomenon, but right-wing extremism has consistently produced the most violence. Since the 1990s, plots and attacks motivated by white supremacy, anti-government ideologies, and nativist beliefs have outpaced left-wing or religiously inspired domestic terrorism.

The report highlights that right-wing extremists are responsible for more fatalities than any other ideological group, citing high-profile attacks such as the Oklahoma City bombing, the Charleston church massacre, and the 2018 Pittsburgh synagogue shooting. These acts are not isolated; they fit into a broader pattern of violence directed at racial, ethnic, and religious minorities, as well as government officials.

---

Patterns and Tactics of Right-Wing Extremists

The research details common tactics employed by right-wing extremists:

• Mass shootings targeting religious or minority communities.
• Bombings and arson directed at government buildings or community centers.
• Paramilitary organizing and armed standoffs with law enforcement.
• Online radicalization through extremist forums and social media echo chambers.

These strategies mirror the movement’s dual goals: spreading terror within marginalized communities and undermining trust in democratic institutions.

---

Comparisons With Other Extremist Movements

While the report acknowledges the existence of left-wing and issue-specific violence (such as environmental extremism), their lethality pales in comparison. Religious-inspired terrorism has seen spikes in the past, particularly post-9/11, but NIJ research concludes that right-wing violence is more durable and decentralized, making it harder to disrupt.

---

The Role of Ideology and Grievance

At the heart of right-wing terrorism is a fusion of racist, xenophobic, and conspiratorial beliefs. The NIJ report emphasizes that these ideologies thrive in times of economic distress, demographic change, or political polarization. In particular, anti-immigrant rhetoric and “replacement” conspiracies have fueled violence in recent years, including the El Paso Walmart shooting in 2019.

---

Policy Implications

The findings carry urgent policy implications:

1. Resource Allocation: Law enforcement and counterterrorism efforts must prioritize right-wing extremism, not only foreign or religious threats.
2. Community Protection: Faith institutions, minority communities, and immigrant populations remain the most frequent targets and require enhanced security support.
3. Prevention and Intervention: Addressing the online ecosystems that incubate radicalization is critical to reducing the recruitment base for violent groups.

---

Conclusion of Report

The NIJ report leaves little doubt: right-wing extremism is not just a fringe issue, but the leading domestic terror threat in the United States. With its long history, decentralized structure, and deadly track record, it represents a persistent challenge to both community safety and democratic stability.

Addressing this threat requires confronting the ideology directly, investing in prevention strategies, and resisting the normalization of hate-driven violence in political discourse.

Donald Trump made it clear that he approves of political violence when he pardoned 1,600 convicted criminals on day one. These January 6ers were convicted of assault and weapons crimes and are now free.

Name	Violent / Weapons Conduct	Sentence / Outcome	Source
Daniel Rodriguez	Used a stun gun on Officer Michael Fanone; assault on law enforcement with a deadly weapon; conspiracy.	~12 years, 7 months in prison.	AP
Kenneth Bonawitz	Proud Boys member; carried an 8-inch knife; assaulted at least six officers.	5 years in prison + 3 years supervised release.	AP
Lonnie Leroy Coffman	Brought multiple firearms and 11 Molotov cocktails; large cache of weapons near the Capitol.	46 months in prison.	Overview
Peter J. Schwartz	Used a large “super-soaker” pepper spray canister against retreating officers; repeated assaults.	~14 years, 2 months in prison.	Case summary
Tristan Chandler Stevens	Assaulted police officers while attempting to breach the Capitol.	5 years in prison.	Case summary
Julian Khater	Sprayed chemical irritant toward officers, including Officer Brian Sicknick.	6 years, 8 months in prison.	Case summary
Vincent J. Gillespie	Rammed a police shield into officers; dragged an officer into the mob.	~5 years, 8 months in prison.	Case summary
Alan Hostetter	Brought a hatchet and tactical gear; role in organizing/advocating violence.	11 years, 3 months in prison.	Case summary
Rachel Powell	Carried an axe and wooden pole; helped lead breaches near the Peace Circle.	57 months in prison + 3 years supervised release.	Case summary
Edward Richmond, Jr.	Used a baton; assault on police with a dangerous weapon.	51 months in prison + 36 months supervised release.	Overview

Political Violence is a Threat to Everyone

There is no such thing as the right kind of political violence. And even though Donald Trump recently said that he doesn’t really care about right-wing extremism, which is outrageous since less than three months ago in June, Vance Luther Boelter disguised as a police officer, shot and critically wounded State Senator John Hoffman & wife and killed former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, her husband, and their dog.

Vance Luther Boelter is a registered Republican. Vance Luther Boelter attended Trump rallies. He was a Trump supporter and, inarguably, a violent right-wing extremist.

The Trump Administration and the Department of Justice are Emboldening Right-Wing Extremists

The rhetoric coming out of the White House is dangerous. Even though at the time of writing this article, the investigation has shown that Charlie Kirk’s shooter had no ties to any “left-wing” groups, didn’t vote, and was raised in a conservative family, Trump and his band of psychphants want to use this tragedy to silence dissent. All violence is wrong. And if the White House wants to exclusively blame the left while ignoring violence on the right, that sends a powerful and dangerous message of support to right-wing extremists.

Don’t let them delete facts. Download The report from the National Institute of Justice (NIJ) here on FactPAC.org and share it with your friends.