WASHINGTON, D.C. - Nonprofit organizations with links to domestic terrorism have been on the radar of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Internal Revenue Service.
Attorney General Pam Bondi recently directed the agencies and prosecutors to shift their focus to target any nonprofit organization with suspected links to terrorist activities. Her directive was to target groups deemed as “extremist,' such as Antifa.
AG Bondi’s December memorandum states, “These domestic terrorists use violence or the threat of violence to advance political and social agendas, including opposition to law and immigration enforcement; extreme views in favor of mass migration and open borders; adherence to radical gender ideology, anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, or anti-Christianity.”
The memo also specifically called out the terrorist group Antifa, citing their tactics related to domestic terrorism.
“To these violent groups [such as Antifa], fascism must be countered and violence, which they claim as first-strike self-defense, is justified. For example, per Antifa: the Anti-Fascist Handbook, ‘anti-fascists don’t wait for a fascist threat to become violent before acting to shut it down, physically if necessary,'" the memo wrote.
The goal of the initiative is to reduce and ideally eliminate any domestic terrorism violence within our soil and to preserve the American way of life.
According to a Justice Department spokesperson, "The Department of Justice is fully committed to preserving the rule of law, protecting law enforcement from coordinated attacks, ensuring everyone has the freedom to speak in the public square, participate freely in the electoral process, and practice their faith without fear of violence or harm, and bringing to justice the full range of criminal actors engaged in criminal conduct matching Congress's definition of domestic terrorism-related violence."
AG Bondi’s directive includes investigating any “tax crimes” connected to nonprofit organizations that ultimately facilitate such terrorist activities as part of their operations.
Nonprofit organizations serve as good cover for illicit activity, as federal, state, and local authorities often overlook nonprofit practices as a show of “good faith” due to the nature of their stated mission.
However, federal agencies, the FBI and IRS, are now working side-by-side on this initiative to help uncover any wrongdoing connected to nonprofit organizations, whether direct or indirect.
"IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) is collaborating with federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, to investigate individuals and entities that may be funding domestic terrorism or political violence," the spokesperson told the media.
They added, "This coordinated effort allows agencies to leverage their respective strengths, including IRS-CI's specialized expertise in financial investigations, to support enforcement actions and safeguard national security."
The directive also encourages anyone with information on any domestic terrorist ties or groups to come forward and inform the FBI: incentives are available to those who do.
“Further, because information from within an organization is often necessary to effectively dismantle large, criminal enterprises, the FBI shall establish a cash reward system for information that leads to the successful identification and arrest of individuals in the leadership of domestic terrorist organizations that conspire with others to commit violations of the provisions of law listed in section 2 of this guidance or other offenses against the United States,” the memo states.
Most recently, nine people were convicted after being linked to an “Antifa cell” for their role in violence, including the use of explosive weapons, and providing support to other individuals or groups in similar roles.
It is a landmark case and one we hope to see more of in the near future; our country and law enforcement professionals deserve it.
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Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the LEO apparel and accessory company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
Attorney General Pam Bondi recently directed the agencies and prosecutors to shift their focus to target any nonprofit organization with suspected links to terrorist activities. Her directive was to target groups deemed as “extremist,' such as Antifa.
AG Bondi’s December memorandum states, “These domestic terrorists use violence or the threat of violence to advance political and social agendas, including opposition to law and immigration enforcement; extreme views in favor of mass migration and open borders; adherence to radical gender ideology, anti-Americanism, anti-capitalism, or anti-Christianity.”
The memo also specifically called out the terrorist group Antifa, citing their tactics related to domestic terrorism.
“To these violent groups [such as Antifa], fascism must be countered and violence, which they claim as first-strike self-defense, is justified. For example, per Antifa: the Anti-Fascist Handbook, ‘anti-fascists don’t wait for a fascist threat to become violent before acting to shut it down, physically if necessary,'" the memo wrote.
The goal of the initiative is to reduce and ideally eliminate any domestic terrorism violence within our soil and to preserve the American way of life.
According to a Justice Department spokesperson, "The Department of Justice is fully committed to preserving the rule of law, protecting law enforcement from coordinated attacks, ensuring everyone has the freedom to speak in the public square, participate freely in the electoral process, and practice their faith without fear of violence or harm, and bringing to justice the full range of criminal actors engaged in criminal conduct matching Congress's definition of domestic terrorism-related violence."
AG Bondi’s directive includes investigating any “tax crimes” connected to nonprofit organizations that ultimately facilitate such terrorist activities as part of their operations.
Nonprofit organizations serve as good cover for illicit activity, as federal, state, and local authorities often overlook nonprofit practices as a show of “good faith” due to the nature of their stated mission.
However, federal agencies, the FBI and IRS, are now working side-by-side on this initiative to help uncover any wrongdoing connected to nonprofit organizations, whether direct or indirect.
"IRS Criminal Investigation (IRS-CI) is collaborating with federal law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, to investigate individuals and entities that may be funding domestic terrorism or political violence," the spokesperson told the media.
They added, "This coordinated effort allows agencies to leverage their respective strengths, including IRS-CI's specialized expertise in financial investigations, to support enforcement actions and safeguard national security."
The directive also encourages anyone with information on any domestic terrorist ties or groups to come forward and inform the FBI: incentives are available to those who do.
“Further, because information from within an organization is often necessary to effectively dismantle large, criminal enterprises, the FBI shall establish a cash reward system for information that leads to the successful identification and arrest of individuals in the leadership of domestic terrorist organizations that conspire with others to commit violations of the provisions of law listed in section 2 of this guidance or other offenses against the United States,” the memo states.
Most recently, nine people were convicted after being linked to an “Antifa cell” for their role in violence, including the use of explosive weapons, and providing support to other individuals or groups in similar roles.
It is a landmark case and one we hope to see more of in the near future; our country and law enforcement professionals deserve it.
-----------------------------------
Writer Eddie Molina is a veteran and has over 25 years of combined LEO/military service. He owns and operates the LEO apparel and accessory company www.BuyHeroStuff.com
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