President Donald Trump has signed a presidential memo empowering the Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) to “investigate, prosecute, and disrupt entities and individuals” deemed to be engaging in domestic terrorism.
The memo, signed on September 25, identifies anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, and anti-Christianity as “common threads” of domestic terrorism.
Trump also highlighted support for the overthrow of the US government, radical extremism on migration, race, and gender, as well as hostility towards traditional American values on family, religion, and morality as qualifying acts.
“These movements portray foundational American principles (e.g., support for law enforcement and border control) as ‘fascist’ to justify and encourage acts of violent revolution,” the memo states.
“This ‘anti-fascist’ lie has become the organizing rallying cry used by domestic terrorists to wage a violent assault against democratic institutions, constitutional rights, and fundamental American liberties.”
The directive tasks the JTTF with investigating “potential” crimes related to the recruitment or radicalisation of individuals for such activities.
It also extends to NGOs and American citizens with ties abroad who may be involved in money laundering or the creation and funding of entities that promote or facilitate domestic terrorism.
Trump urged the task force to prioritise cases linked to the financing and facilitation of terrorism.
