As outlined below Barr is taking on extremism from both the right and left. He clearly outlines that both are a threat. Attorney General Barr forms panel on 'anti-government extremism' https://www.reuters.com/article/us-...el-on-anti-government-extremism-idUSKBN23Y00B Attorney General William Barr on Friday ordered the establishment of a task force to counter what he called “anti-government extremists” committing violence as protests against police brutality convulse the United States. In a memo to law enforcement and prosecutors released by the Department of Justice, Barr said alleged extremists had “engaged in indefensible acts of violence designed to undermine public order,” including attacking police officers, damaging property and threatening innocent people. Protests have spread nationwide over George Floyd’s death in police custody last month and the deaths of other African Americans at the hands of police. Although largely peaceful, some demonstrators have turned violent, which President Donald Trump and his allies have blamed on left-wing extremists among the protesters. Barr said the extremists “profess a variety of ideologies.” “Some pretend to profess a message of freedom and progress, but they are in fact forces of anarchy, destruction, and coercion,” Barr said. Barr named the militant anti-government movement known as the “boogaloo,” as well as the left-wing Antifa as among those posing “continuing threats of lawlessness”. Antifa is an amorphous movement whose adherents use confrontational tactics to oppose people or groups they consider authoritarian or racist. “Boogaloo” members believe the United States will enter into a second civil war, according to the Southern Poverty Law Center, which tracks hate groups. While the ideology itself is not white supremacist, some white supremacist groups have embraced it, the Anti-Defamation League has found. Federal prosecutors filed charges early this month against three alleged members of the movement accused of plotting to cause violence and destruction at a Las Vegas protest. The new task force would be headed by two U.S. attorneys, from Texas and New Jersey, Barr said. It would include members from different law enforcement agencies, but would “particularly draw on the capabilities of the FBI,” he said.
Let's hope the right wing extremism isn't used as an excuse for Barr's McArthyism. As it stands, this just appears to be theater for reelection
To be clear I dislike right-wing violent extremists (boogaloo, etc.) just as much as I dislike violent left-wing extremists (ANTIFA, etc.). All of them should be arrested, prosecuted, and imprisoned for long periods of time for any violent acts they plan or commit. It is good to see the federal government increasing their focus on this problem; it is long overdue.
I disagree, anyone arrested and prosecuted should be punished by the letter of the law, not "imprisoned for long periods of time". A person does not deserve 10 years in jail for hurting a politician's reelection chances & feeling "threatened".
For violent acts such as attacking others, arson, looting... etc. --- long sentences need to be imposed. Otherwise we will see the complete breakdown of civil order.
The 2nd amendment has been framed as an anti-government extremist charter. Violently threatening revolt is constitutional.
Well then apply the law instead of ignoring all the assaults. The real problem is organized extremist groups planning and executing violence to undermine our country. These people need to be apprehended, put on trial, and jailed with appropriate sentences for their crimes. Federal, state, and local law enforcement focus need to be applied to members of these extremist groups.
Yet cons cheer the cops that got all butthurt and decided to throw a hissy fit and stand down because they want their toys and keeping on killing black people under threat of "defunding". They seemed perfectly Ok w/prosecutorial interference & obstruction by POTUS, his lackeys, and his hand picked AG too.
If cities "defund the police" then you will see the phenomenal growth of private security firms hired to guard well-to-do neighborhoods and retail locations. There will be few restrictions on these military style operations mostly manned by former cops. The basic situation will look like the wild west -- with posse's mounted to take out criminals, etc.