The Justice Department of the United States is creating a new special unit to fight so-called “domestic terrorism” in the wake of the January 6 capitol riot. 

Senior officials in the U.S. government now believe that “anti-government” activists and white supremacists represent a threat equal to that of foreign terrorist movements such as the Islamic State or Al-Quaeda. 

“We face an elevated threat from domestic violent extremists – that is, individuals in the United States who seek to commit violent criminal acts in furtherance of domestic social or political goals”, the assistant attorney general at the National Security Division of the Justice Department said before the Senate Judiciary Committee. 

“We have seen a growing threat from those who are motivated by racial animus, as well as those who ascribe to extremist anti-government and anti-authority ideologies”, he added. 

Skepticism against the government has been a cornerstone of the American identity for decades, if not centuries. Only recently has the government decided to drastically crackdown on individuals who question government overreach.

A few months ago, Attorney General of the United States Merrick Garland asked lawmakers to crack down on “domestic violent extremism”. 

The Attorney General also asked federal authorities to investigate threats against school board members. 

In recent years, parents have become more involved in their children’s education, questioning the teaching of critical race theory curriculum to young children and mandatory mask policies. 

Investigative journalists are increasingly questioning the January 6 riot at the Capitol and the involvement of the FBI. On Tuesday, a senior FBI official refused to say whether the FBI had any involvement in the January 6 riot. 

Civil rights activist and journalist Glenn Greenwald has raised serious concerns about the new “domestic terrorism” unit, citing concerns that the U.S. government will use the January 6 event to expand domestic monitoring as it did after 9/11.