On Friday afternoon, the Department of Homeland Security issued another Bulletin through its “National Terrorism Advisory System.” You can access the bulletin here.
The new bulletin continues the Biden Administration’s policy of linking its political opponents to “domestic terrorism,” but this latest publication is now focused on attacking the censorship-free online communication platforms used by many on the right as a means of communicating and organizing.
I’ve decided to provide a line-by-line translation of the document, from its current form of thinly-veiled corporatist Newspeak, to plain and simple English. Here it is:
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE
SUMMARY OF THE TERRORISM THREAT TO THE U.S. HOMELAND
The Secretary of Homeland Security has issued a new National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletin regarding the current heightened threat environment across the United States. The Homeland continues to face a diverse and challenging threat environment leading up to and following the 20th Anniversary of the September 11, 2001 attacks as well religious holidays we assess could serve as a catalyst for acts of targeted violence. These threats include those posed by domestic terrorists, individuals and groups engaged in grievance-based violence, and those inspired or motivated by foreign terrorists and other malign foreign influences. These actors are increasingly exploiting online forums to influence and spread violent extremist narratives and promote violent activity. Such threats are also exacerbated by impacts of the ongoing global pandemic, including grievances over public health safety measures and perceived government restrictions.
TRANSLATION
SUMMARY OF THE TERRORISM THREAT TO THE U.S. HOMELAND
We’re releasing a new bulletin because 9/11 is coming up and everyone will bitch and mon if we don’t look like we’re actively doing something to justify the $51.7 billion dollars we requested in the FY2020 budget (see page 3 of the linked document). There could be some foreign threats but we’re still mostly concerned about the Trump supporters – they are still using online chatrooms, messaging services and social media platforms to spread their ideas and organize (apparently some of these people are in fact literate). They seem even more upset than before, probably due to all the curbing of their civil liberties on account of the “surge” in the pandemic.ORIGINAL LANGUAGE
“Through the remainder of 2021, racially- or ethnically-motivated violent extremists (RMVEs) and anti-government/anti-authority violent extremists will remain a national threat priority for the United States. These extremists may seek to exploit the emergence of COVID-19 variants by viewing the potential re-establishment of public health restrictions across the United States as a rationale to conduct attacks. Pandemic-related stressors have contributed to increased societal strains and tensions, driving several plots by domestic violent extremists, and they may contribute to more violence this year.”TRANSLATION
We expect these deplorables to be pissed off for at least the rest of the year as we continue to pick apart their civil liberties in the name of “science” and “public health.”
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE
“Additionally, leading up to the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, Al-Qa’ida in the Arabian Peninsula recently released its first English-language copy of Inspire magazine in over four years, which demonstrates that foreign terrorist organizations continue efforts to inspire U.S.-based individuals susceptible to violent extremist influences.”TRANSLATION
We’re sure that regular, everyday Republicans don’t read Al-Qaida’s magazine, but we had to include something about foreign terrorist threats to point to when we’re accused of just focusing on political opponents… this is the best we could do.
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE
Historically, mass-casualty domestic violent extremist attacks linked to RMVEs have targeted houses of worship and crowded commercial facilities or gatherings. Some RMVEs advocate via online platforms for a race war and havestated that civil disorder provides opportunities to engage in violence in furtherance of ideological objectives. The reopening of institutions, including schools, as well as several dates of religious significance over the next few months, could also provide increased targets of opportunity for violence though there are currently no credible or imminent threats identified to these locations.
TRANSLATION
Real, actual domestic terrorists have a demonstrable record of targeting schools and churches we can use this as an excuse to continue to keep tight controls over these institutions in the months to come. We can keep the teachers’ unions happy by limiting in-person instruction as much as possible (in the name of public health of course) and we can keep these pesky “churches” closed too – who knows what’s going on in there!
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE
“Foreign and domestic threat actors, to include foreign intelligence services, international terrorist groups and domestic violent extremists, continue to introduce, amplify, and disseminate narratives online that promote violence, and have called for violence against elected officials, political representatives, government facilities, law enforcement, religious communities or commercial facilities, and perceived ideologically-opposed individuals. There are also continued, non-specific calls for violence on multiple online platforms associated with DVE ideologies or conspiracy theories on perceived election fraud and alleged reinstatement, and responses to anticipated restrictions relating to the increasing COVID cases.”“Ideologically motivated violent extremists fueled by personal grievances and extremist
ideological beliefs continue to derive inspiration and obtain operational guidance through the
consumption of information shared in certain online communities. This includes information
regarding the use of improvised explosive devices and small arms.”
“Violent extremists may use particular messaging platforms or techniques to obscure
operational indicators that provide specific warning of a pending act of violence.”
TRANSLATION
Online platforms like Telegram, Gab, Gettr, etc are a problem – that’s where these right-wingers congregate and exchange ideas. We’re working on a way to take these platforms out.
ORIGINAL LANGUAGE
Law enforcement have [sic] expressed concerns that the broader sharing of false narratives and conspiracy theories will gain traction in mainstream environments, resulting in individuals or small groups embracing violent tactics to achieve their desired objectives. With a diverse array of threats, DHS is concerned that increased outbreaks of violence in some locations, as well as targeted attacks against law enforcement, may strain local resources.TRANSLATION
We’re worried that the ideas of resistance might leak out of the online fringe of censorship-free platforms and into the mainstream – then it’ll be much harder to fight. That’s why we have to keep the pressure on and find a way to destroy the platforms right-wingers use to communicate.
Dangerous Thoughts 