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ANALYSIS – During a recent grilling by the Senate Judiciary Committee, FBI Director Christopher Wary called the January 6 riot in the U.S. Capitol “domestic terrorism.” And many would agree. But was it really? And if so, what does that mean?
And how does it apply to other forms of violent domestic disturbances directed at federal buildings and law enforcement – such as those by BLM, Antifa and other groups?
In his testimony Wray said in reference to the Capitol riot: “That attack, that siege, was criminal behavior. It is behavior that we, the FBI, view as domestic terrorism.” Few will argue with Wray’s assessment of it being criminal behavior, I called it that immediately after the riot. But was it “domestic terrorism”?
Significantly, in contrast to crimes of “international terrorism,” there is no federal criminal offense for “domestic terrorism.” Acts of so-called domestic terrorism are charged under other specific criminal laws, such as killing federal agents or other criminal offenses. So, in U.S. federal law, the crime of domestic terrorism simply does not exist.
However, while not a designated crime, “domestic terrorism” is defined under the 2001 USA Patriot Act for purposes of authorizing federal law enforcement investigations. There it is described as:
…activities that (A) involve acts dangerous to human life that are a violation of the criminal laws of the U.S. or of any state; (B) appear to be intended (i) to intimidate or coerce a civilian population; (ii) to influence the policy of a government by intimidation or coercion; or (iii) to affect the conduct of a government by mass destruction, assassination, or kidnapping; and (C) occur primarily within the territorial jurisdiction of the U.S.
Under that definition – or even the more common dictionary definition of “terrorism” as “the unlawful use of violence and intimidation, especially against civilians, in the pursuit of political aims” – the Capitol riot can certainly be called terrorism. This is something I noted in my analysis of earlier violent BLM/Antifa attacks against peaceful Trump supporters in Washington, DC.
I called those leftist attacks on civilians for political intimidation the textbook definition of “terrorism. And if applied equally, the term could definitely be used to describe the Capitol riot as well.
However, the problem is that it isn’t being applied equally. The term cannot be used selectively against one political group or ideology and not others, without appearing to be a biased witch hunt. And that is exactly what is occurring now.
The violent attacks by BLM and Antifa groups against peaceful Trump supporters in DC, or violent attacks targeting the White House, or federal officers and the federal courthouse in Portland, have not been labelled “domestic terrorism.” Neither have the violent leftist attacks against other federal buildings and monuments in numerous other cities nationwide.
And that is wrong, and needs to change.
Those months-long BLM/Antifa riots caused well over $2 billion in damages and injured over 2,000 police officers, some seriously. The Capitol riot, in contrast, injured about 140 officers, and caused relatively minor damage.
While one rioter was killed by Capitol Police, one Capitol Police officer died afterwards due to still unknown causes, and three protesters in the area died of pre-existing medical conditions, the mostly unarmed Capitol riot was not the “bloody insurrection” hyped by partisans and the media.
Bottom line is – until the term is applied evenly and impartially, perhaps the “domestic terrorism” should not be used at all.
Federal Bureau Of Instigation
I veiw the entire dumbocraptic party terrorists..
Me too…And Terrorists need to go to PRISON, NO matter “who” they are…….!!!!
Democrap Party!!
Wray is another demorat lying jerk just like comey, etal. He is a swamp rat and should be gone.
They’re another crooked crowd
It was Domestic Terrorism instigated by the dims….clearly….!!!
how about planned by democrates would b more like it to further push trying to create morefalse news against pres.trump to try an stop trump from running for office again an finish putting swamp out of bussiness
The demonrats in Washington are Domestic Terrorists as they Open the Southern border and let COVID Infected migrants in to keep SPREADING the virus around while locking up America/Americans = CRIMINAL activity, as also the Drug/human Trafficking continues on now…..And they keep themselves protected in DC with FENCES/the National Guard because they know they are WRONG….”Something” has to give….eventually…!!!
Wray himself is ONE of all the domestic terrorists = dim party
Bull-Schiff. 140 capitol police were NOT injured. That is a bald-face democrat lie.
Biden is trying to destroy the U S at Obama’s instructions. Obama is a Muslim Terrorist .Biden could not find his way home with out help.
Fire Wray just a do nothing swamp creature
We prefer to consider it a Steaming Load….
NOT domestic terrorists! Just a large group of pissed off Americans who are fed up with all the criminal activity of the Democraps!!!!!!
If the protest on Jan 6th was terrorism who where the terrorists? Only one’s that would fit the description is the cop that fired into an UNARMED crowd
Instead of defunding the police they need to defund the FBI ATF and DOJ because they are beyond corrupt
The foray on Capitol was one containing about 300 criminals and thousands on a gallivant taking selfies and enjoying the art work. Contrast that with this summer and Wray exposes himself as a partisan DEEP STATER. Boy, was his appointment a mistake.
it seams to me that the FBI dictor need to be fired ,he does not know his head from a hole in the grow or he is bais and either way he should not be in charge.
Those dumbocrats were totally responsible for what happened. They ordered it so they could impeach President Trump. It was all planned. So if toy want to call it domestic terrorism look no further then those on Capitol hill call the demoniccrats.
This new guy that heads the fbi, he’s either stupid and clueless, or like obiden and his cast of cartoon characters, just outright LIES!!! They have the MILITANT side of BLM, on camera inciting the crowd Jan 6th, he was dressed in Trump, and MAGA clothing, he’s not the only one either. Do these people in power now, think all Americans believe in what they say, and what they do, NO, but friends we have to FIGHT back, yes I said FIGHT, however, I mean legally (you have to say that now) These criminals need to be taken out of office, if this isn’t done & quickly the America we love, the America I served in the military for WILL BE DESTROYED!!!! biden, harris ,pelosi, schumer, swalwell (sold out america) hunter biden & his idiot father, also sold out America to china!!!! THEY ALL HAVE TO GO
They all have to go NOW! That demented puppet Biden has caused our Country enough trouble and problems in just 2 Months to last a life time. I agree with the above post by Michael that we must fight tooth and nail, but legally as “( you have to say that now)” because the First Amendment only applies to the lying, self serving, left wing, control freak, egotist, socialist/communist demonrats. Otherwise you are consider a white supremist.
This is our Country based on the premise of a Government of the People, By the People, for the People. People meaning good, law abiding, tax paying, trusting in God, Patriotic Citizens.
It is definitely fake about conservatives plotting the incursion, SS-und Polizeiführer Wray is using the second largest criminal organization in the world to cover up the fact that the corrupt satanic Nazi democrats planned and executed the incursion!
Wray= DEMOCRART LIAR.
Quote: “Bottom line is – until the term is applied evenly and impartially, perhaps the “domestic terrorism” should not be used at all.”
Better yet perhaps Director Wray should not be Director at all.
Pelosi directly help the riot….
Today sue Nancy Pelosi for gross negligence causing the wrongful dead of Ashli Babbit in the Capitol riot, she was unarmed, who gave those orders to the the Capitol police shot an unarmed person without first giving prior notice of that they will be shooting at them , violating the law.
No one is above the Law not even the POTUS, Nancy fired the experienced Capitol chief of police days before the riots and placed an inexperienced person to be in charge, refused the offer from the POTUS TRUMP to have 10,000 troops to stop riots in DC, there are multiple videos that show how the Capitol Police let the rioters in the Capitol and also guide them to the chambers then inside to ambush them and gun down an innocent person.
We The People want the Law to be upheld even to everyone, no one is above the LAW.
Now the say the Capitol police that shot Babbit is in hiding who is helping him to do so, and why they haven’t open an investigation
He “Claims” whatever Pelosi and Schumer TELL him to claim. HE and the top 3 level of that Org are the REAL Problem in our country.
The Democrats and a few Rinos are all under the CCP . Money talks with them
It was:
o rigged day 1
o one caller told of Antifa types saying come on up to Capitol day of rally post speech
o Planned
o was there pre speech by President
I say Yes domestic terrorisim by Dems for power
Funny how Antifa and BLM creating havoc and ruin are not considered domestic terrorists.
Defund the police, polititize the national law force and D.O.J, and totally disarm peaceful citizens by jailing thousands for non compliance.
The crime rate soars to a third world level.
The government brings in the military to solve the rampant crime horror.
The military then becomes the brutal arm of a dictatorship.
Demonstrations are stopped by incarceration, torture and execution.
The Democrats dream is quickly becoming a reality.
No, not domestic terrorism, it was civil unrest, as the perpetrators were both unprepared and disorderly.
There were no guns in the hands of the rioters, only in the hands of the Capital police. One person was killed by police officer and she was a white female. Others died but we do not know the cause. Rioters led by BLM and Antifa where many people were killed. Business destroyed and the leftist Democratic Party encouraged it. There would have been no one killed if the officer had not fired his gun at the woman at the Capital riot. I did not like that some people stormed the Capital and broke out windows to break in the building. I also don’t like the way the left and the media has try to make Trump supporter look bad when the overwhelming majority are very peaceful. It is your left that has been rioting and beating up people ever since President Trump went into office and absolutely nothing has been done to stop the rioting.
Our FBI has no creditability, nor the CIA, they both are corrupt. The American people have seen this
with all the investigations on President Trump. Obama, Hilary, Comey, Brannon, Biden, Harris etc. etc and etc are still walking free in our country, the swamp is in control!
This is exactly what we should expect from Wray. He is as swampy as they come. He did nothing to clean house following ‘Russiagate’, and whoever advised Trump to choose him as Comey’s replacement did not have Trump’s best interests at heart. ‘Domestic terrorism’? Sure, just like it was an ‘armed’ insurrection, only no one was armed. Notice how he’s supporting the Democrat narrative, just to instill fear in Americans who don’t know any better, and so Crazy Nancy can continue to justify the ridiculous fence and military presence surrounding the Capitol.
Wouldn’t all those riots over the spring/summer of 2020 be domestic terrorism. They seem to fit the definition and most were to go against the police. Look at all the destruction, the loss of property, the loss of life – and it was all planned!
Who is going to believe c.wray the lying FBI director, who wouldn’t know the truth, if it smacked him in the face, this guy and his smerk, every time he opens his pie hole, u know he’s lying, they ruined this organization, and until it cleaned up, it will be nothing but a deep state cabal that’s more of a danger to us, than trusting their word on anything.
The FBI DIRECTOR isn’t correct…
He failed to say one thing (HE WANTS TO KEEP HIS JOB) the first report from the FBI said no guns were confiscated, but later found three.
I know someone was shot during this time, and that’s a tragedy. But to label this domestic terrorism is a scapegoat for the democrats.
They knew in advance what was about to happen and did nothing about it.
The FBI even admitted that some of the group was being monitored on social media, but over half of those people being monitored didn’t fit the description of anything but pissed off people.
The only way the director can come clean is to speak the truth without worrying about his job.
So PILLOUSER until you declare the riots, in Port land, Seattle , and other states as terrorism, with looting and destroying federal property and private property and injuring over 2000 people as a terror attack, the capitol riot was just that a riot, Not an insurrection, or anything close to it and people their got hurt to, but those lies the fake media called peaceful protests was anything but! So all of you get over it! Stop whining already! And yes you demonrats ARE hated by all Americans because we see you for what you really are, tread lightly 2022 is real close!
Hey Mr. Wray, Mr. Crespo is spot on:
“The violent attacks by BLM and Antifa groups against peaceful Trump supporters in DC, or violent attacks targeting the White House, or federal officers and the federal courthouse in Portland, have not been labelled “domestic terrorism.” Neither have the violent leftist attacks against other federal buildings and monuments in numerous other cities nationwide.
And that is wrong, and needs to be changed!”
I believe the FBI has lost all of it’s integrity. The incident at the Capitol was in violation of the law and criminal charges should be filed. However, The Director of the FBI, Mr. Wary, just like his predecessors, take full aim at individuals involved in the “Capitol Riot”, yet let members of Antifa, Black Lives Matter, James Comey and all the others, in the FBI and other Agencies, who criminally conspired to destroy Donald Trump go without any punishment’s. The FBI appears to have chosen to be Left Wing Political in it’s enforcement activities instead of being the hallmark law enforcement agency in the world. I am a retired police lieutenant and Viet Nam veteran, and I have never seen the FBI and other Federal Enforcement agencies, openly play one political party against the other, and to openly help establish a communistic/socialistic U.S. Government take over. Wonder if Mr. Wary will go after all those in the Trump Conspiracies and those who lied to FISA Courts and Judges, or is he just going to follow in his predecessors footsteps and go after those who want our Constitution Enforced? Sad day for America. God Bless America.