Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01), a member of the Homeland Security Committee and Congressional Pro-Choice Caucus, sent a letter to Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas expressing concerns about the increasing threat posed by domestic violent extremists (DVEs) given the anticipated ruling from the Supreme Court defining the future of Roe v. Wade.

“In the wake of the draft decision leak last month that would overturn a nearly fifty-year precedent, the number of violent threats online against clinics, advocates, Supreme Court Justices, and government officials increased exponentially,” the Members wrote. “Immediately following the draft leak, online forums were rife with threats to burn down buildings, hurt Supreme Court Justices and their families, and commit violent acts against demonstrators.”

Given this increased threat environment and the impending Supreme Court decision, Congresswoman Titus’ joint letter asks that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) share with Members of Congress its efforts to coordinate with state and local law enforcement, take action to proactively monitor and mitigate the growing threat environment, and remain vigilant against anti-abortion targeted DVE attacks in the interest of public safety.

Background

A recent memo from the DHS Office of Intelligence and Analysis details the potential for a significant increase in domestic threats as a result of the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health decision which is expected sometime this month before the Court’s recess.

Given the sensitivity and particular pertinence of threats to abortion rights, DVEs have supercharged the violent side of the debate, especially on social media, with narratives that encourage actors to respond with violence. Troublingly, some of these anti-abortion narratives are racially charged, where DVEs claim their efforts “save white children” and “fight white genocide.”

Unfortunately, the abortion rights debate is not immune to domestic attacks. From 1977 to 2015, there were eight murders, 17 attempted murders, 42 bombings, 186 arsons, and 400 death threats targeting abortion clinics and providers. In 2019, the number of attacks in the U.S. against abortion providers more than doubled from the previous year, with a consistent escalation in attacks during the following years.  To this end, a recent Southern Nevada Counterterrorism Center (SNCTC) report assessed that local Nevada political figures, buildings housing state representative offices, and other targets may become a focal point for DVEs looking to capitalize on the heightened debate.

Historically, the incidence of violent attacks in the U.S. increases with changes in abortion policy. A recent Center for Strategic and International Studies report found that over half of all domestic terrorist incidents in 2021 happened at or occurred around a metropolitan protest.

Read today’s full letter here.

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