Napolitano Says Only Need “Word-Smithing” to Fix DHS Report

DHS issued report on extremism despite concerns
AP

WASHINGTON – Civil liberties officials at the Homeland Security Department flagged language in a controversial report on right-wing extremists, but the agency issued the report anyway.

The intelligence assessment issued to law enforcement last week said some military veterans could be susceptible to extremist recruiters or commit lone acts of violence. That prompted angry reactions from some lawmakers and veterans’ groups.

Homeland Security spokeswoman Amy Kudwa said the report was issued before officials resolved problems raised by the agency’s civil rights division about analysts’ definition of right-wing extremism.

In a footnote in the report, right-wing extremism was defined as hate-motivated groups and movements, such as hatred of certain religions, racial or ethnic groups. It went on to say, “It may include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration.”

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano defended the report Thursday but acknowledged that the definition needs to be changed.

“If there’s one part of that report I would rewrite, in the word-smithing, Washington-ese that goes on after the fact, it would be that footnote,” Napolitano said Thursday on Fox News.

The same definition was included in the agency’s March 26 report on domestic extremism. Both reports were marked “For Official Use Only.”

The report cites the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing by military veteran Timothy McVeigh as one instance of a veteran becoming a domestic terrorist.

Several lawmakers, the American Legion and Vets for Freedom took offense to the intelligence review. The Veterans of Foreign Wars defended it as an assessment, not an accusation.

Napolitano said, “We do not mean to suggest that veterans as a whole are at risk of becoming violent extremists.”

read article here… DHS issued report on extremism despite concerns.

Sounds like she stands behind the report and just needs “word-smithing” to satisfy all the ignorant rightwing extreme!… joe

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