DHS Secretary Mayorkas Launches Internal Domestic Violent Extremism Review

DHS Secretary Mayorkas Launches Internal Domestic Violent Extremism Review

DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has launched an internal probe "to address the threat of domestic violent extremism within the Department of Homeland Security," according to a letter he wrote to all DHS employees.

A working group will be established, which will provide a "comprehensive review of how to best prevent, detect and respond to threats related to domestic violent extremism within DHS," Mayorkas wrote.

"Given the evolving threat landscape and the grave risks posed by domestic violent extremism, including to our employees and operations, I have directed the Department to immediately begin a review of how to best prevent, detect, and respond to domestic violent extremism threats within DHS," the letter reads. "The team managing this internal effort, led by our Chief Security Officer, will report back to me with its recommendations."

Mayorkas said people from the department will discuss their plans to move forward in the coming days.

"We will not allow hateful acts or violent extremism to penetrate the fabric of our Department and fundamentally compromise our ability to protect the Homeland," Mayorkas wrote.

More than 240,000 employees comprise multiple agencies including FEMA, the Secret Service and the Coast Guard.

The Secretary’s letter comes about two years after former Coast Guard Lt. Christopher Hasson was charged by the U.S. Attorney in Maryland on firearms charges.

Hasson was arrested in the parking lot of the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters, according to authorities.

According to court documents, Hasson was described as someone who had "espoused extremist views for years."

In a draft email from June 2017 he allegedly wrote, "I am dreaming of a way to kill almost every last person on the earth. I think a plague would be most successful but how do I acquire the needed/ Spanish flu, botulism, anthrax not sure yet but will find something."

He was found to have been studying the writings of previous domestic terrorists and was particularly interested in that of Anders Behring Breivik, a Norwegian terrorist who killed 77 people in 2011, prosecutors alleged.

Hasson was sentenced to 160 months in prison last year.

Featured

New Products

  • ResponderLink

    ResponderLink

    Shooter Detection Systems (SDS), an Alarm.com company and a global leader in gunshot detection solutions, has introduced ResponderLink, a groundbreaking new 911 notification service for gunshot events. ResponderLink completes the circle from detection to 911 notification to first responder awareness, giving law enforcement enhanced situational intelligence they urgently need to save lives. Integrating SDS’s proven gunshot detection system with Noonlight’s SendPolice platform, ResponderLink is the first solution to automatically deliver real-time gunshot detection data to 911 call centers and first responders. When shots are detected, the 911 dispatching center, also known as the Public Safety Answering Point or PSAP, is contacted based on the gunfire location, enabling faster initiation of life-saving emergency protocols.

  • Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems V07

    Automatic Systems, an industry-leading manufacturer of pedestrian and vehicle secure entrance control access systems, is pleased to announce the release of its groundbreaking V07 software. The V07 software update is designed specifically to address cybersecurity concerns and will ensure the integrity and confidentiality of Automatic Systems applications. With the new V07 software, updates will be delivered by means of an encrypted file.

  • Unified VMS

    AxxonSoft introduces version 2.0 of the Axxon One VMS. The new release features integrations with various physical security systems, making Axxon One a unified VMS. Other enhancements include new AI video analytics and intelligent search functions, hardened cybersecurity, usability and performance improvements, and expanded cloud capabilities