Full Answer Section
These groups are dangerous because they are well-organized and have access to weapons. They are also able to operate relatively openly in the United States because they are not seen as a threat by the mainstream population.
In recent years, there has been a surge in violence from these groups. For example, in 2017, a white supremacist killed 17 people at a Jewish synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. In 2019, a neo-Nazi killed 22 people at a Walmart store in El Paso, Texas.
Homeland security officials should be concerned with all terrorist groups, regardless of their ideology. However, they should be especially concerned with domestic terrorist groups because they are more difficult to track and monitor. Homeland security officials also need to be aware of the threat posed by these groups to law enforcement and other first responders.
Why homeland security officials should be as concerned with the various groups in the United States as they are with Muslim extremists:
- Domestic terrorist groups are more likely to attack the United States than foreign terrorist groups.
- Domestic terrorist groups are more difficult to track and monitor than foreign terrorist groups.
- Domestic terrorist groups are more likely to have access to weapons and explosives than foreign terrorist groups.
- Domestic terrorist groups are more likely to attack law enforcement and other first responders than foreign terrorist groups.
Why homeland security officials may not be as concerned with the various groups in the United States as they are with Muslim extremists:
- Muslim extremists have been responsible for a number of high-profile terrorist attacks in the United States, such as the 9/11 attacks.
- Muslim extremists are often seen as a greater threat to the United States than domestic terrorist groups.
- There is a lot of public pressure on homeland security officials to focus on the threat of Muslim extremism.
Conclusion
Homeland security officials should be concerned with all terrorist groups, regardless of their ideology. However, they should be especially concerned with domestic terrorist groups because they are more difficult to track and monitor, and they are more likely to attack the United States.
Additional thoughts
It is important to note that not all members of any group are terrorists. However, the groups mentioned above have a history of violence, and they should be considered a threat to public safety.