AI-generated photos showed fires were from secret "weather weapon"

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The Extremism Roundup
=====================


**Promoting Civil Discourse and Marginalizing the Extremes**
A weekly compilation of the most important developments in the struggle against radical ideologies

Islamist Extremism
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*Trevor Bickford - contributed photo via Fox 23 Maine screenshot*


**Trial Date Set for Maine Jihadist**


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Trevor Bickford, from Wells, Maine, is scheduled to stand trial on federal charges on March 18, 2024, for attacking New York police officers with a machete on New Year's Eve, 2022.


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Bickford faces federal charges, including four counts of attempted murder and terror charges. He had previously pleaded not guilty to state charges.


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Prosecutors allege that Bickford specifically targeted police officers with the intent to kill them, influenced by Islamic extremists in the months leading up to the attack. One officer suffered a fractured skull during the incident, which occurred on his first day on the job.  [Read More]([link removed] 202309-21&utm_medium=email)

Alt-Right & Alt-Left Extremism
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*Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer speaks at a rally to demand action on gun safety at the Michigan State Capitol on March 15, 2023 in Lansing - Chris duMond/Getty Images*


**Michigan Governor Kidnapping Case Ends in Acquittal**


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Three men accused of plotting to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer in 2020–William Null, twin brother Michael Null, and Eric Molitor–were acquitted of providing support for a terrorist act and a weapon charge.


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The trio's acquittal marks the last of 14 men to face charges in state or federal court for their alleged involvement in the plot. Nine were convicted, and now five have been cleared.


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The plot against Governor Whitmer was said to have simmered in 2020, fueled by government restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic, and was described as a homegrown terrorism plot.  **[Read More]([link removed] 202309-21&utm_medium=email)**


**Florida Neo-Nazi Arrested**


- Jason Brown, a member of the antisemitic group “Black Sun,” was arrested for hanging swastikas and racist banners on a bridge in Orlando, Fla., on June 10. Three other neo-Nazi demonstrators also had warrants issued for their arrest.
- Brown is being charged with criminal mischief due to Governor Ron DeSantis' House Bill 269, which requires individuals and groups to obtain permission to display or project images on property or structures. This legislation allows for charges that might otherwise be considered free speech under the 1st Amendment.  **[Read More]([link removed] 202309-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Anti-Police Rioter Sentenced for Arson Plot**


- Justin Christopher Moore, a Washington man, has been sentenced to 40 months in prison for his involvement in a plot to burn the Seattle Police Officers Guild (SPOG) building in downtown Seattle in September 2020.
- Moore was found to have made and carried a box of 12 Molotov cocktails during a protest march to the SPOG building on Labor Day of 2020. Law enforcement located the box containing the gasoline devices in a nearby parking lot after the marchers were moved away due to concerns about their intentions.
- During a search of Moore's residence in June 2021, authorities discovered clothing consistent with what Moore was wearing during the incident, as well as items related to the manufacturing of explosive devices and a notebook with entries about creating destructive devices. The prosecution highlighted the inherent danger of Moore's actions, which placed a large crowd at risk during the protest march.  **[Read More]([link removed] 202309-21&utm_medium=email)**
**Buffalo Woman Pleads Guilty to Vandalizing Pro-Life Health Clinic**


- Hannah E. Kamke, of Buffalo, N.Y., pleaded guilty to disorderly conduct in connection with vandalizing a sign outside an anti-abortion medical clinic in Amherst in March. She agreed to pay $2,580 in restitution.
- Originally charged with third-degree criminal mischief, Kamke's plea deal resulted in her being sentenced to a one-year conditional discharge and ordered to stay away from CompassCare, the clinic she targeted.
- The vandalism involved spray-painting the word "LIARS" in bright red paint across the clinic's white business sign.  **[Read More]([link removed] 202309-21&utm_medium=email)**


  Hate Crimes
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*Charles Allen Barnes, mugshot - via Atlanta Black Star screenshot*


**Maine Man Arrested for Making Death Threats**


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Charles Allen Barnes, 47, of Lewiston, Maine, was arrested today on federal charges for sending a threatening voicemail to a neighbor.


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According to the indictment, Barnes allegedly used an interstate communications service to transmit a voice message in which he used racial slurs and stated that he was outside a neighbor’s residence and would kill any Black person who emerged.  


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Barnes faces a maximum penalty of five years in prison.  **[Read More]([link removed] 202309-21&utm_medium=email)**


**Texas Man Pleads Guilty to Hate Crime Charges in Connection to Fatal Shooting**


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Anthony Paz Torres, 38, pleaded guilty to five federal hate crime counts for a 2015 shooting at an auto shop in Dallas, Texas, where he killed one person and attempted to kill four others. He also pleaded guilty to using a firearm to commit the murder.


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Torres's shooting spree occurred days after he visited the business, made anti-Muslim statements, and vowed to return. Upon his return, he asked customers about their religion and opened fire on those present, resulting in one death and injuries to others.


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His sentencing is scheduled for January 24, 2024, and he faces a maximum penalty of up to 37 years in prison under the terms of the plea agreement.  **[Read More]([link removed] 202309-21&utm_medium=email)**

  School Threats
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*Hillsborough County, Tampa, Fla., sheriff’s car - via wtsp.com screenshot*


**Florida Teen Charged for Texas School Threat**


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A 14-year-old boy from Tampa, Fla., was arrested and charged with making threats to conduct a mass shooting at a middle school in San Antonio, Texas, via a fake Instagram account. The threat included a message that stated, "Yall got until Friday to find out who I am Or else everyone dies."


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The teenager confessed to creating the fake account and using a former classmate's photo. He faces charges of Written or Electronic Threat to Conduct a Mass Shooting or Act of Terrorism and Unlawful Use of a Two-Way Communications Device.  **[Read More]([link removed] 202309-21&utm_medium=email)**


**Spokane School on High Alert After Snapchat Threat**


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Spokane schools and police were put on high alert after explicit threats of violence in schools were shared via Snapchat messages. Law enforcement is treating the threats seriously and deploying additional officers at schools in the city.


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The police believe there are no credible threats to schools in the Spokane area at this time, but they are continuing their investigation into the Snapchat threats.  **[Read More]([link removed] 202309-21&utm_medium=email)**

Hostile Foreign Influence Operations
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* Hawea Casco, 9, walks through the backyard of his grandparents' home, which was destroyed in the Aug. 8 wildfires in Lahaina, HI - Tamir Kalifa for The Washington Post via Getty Images*


**China Uses AI to Spread Disinformation About Hawaii Fires**


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China used AI to generate photographs that appeared to indicate that the wildfires in Maui were not natural and were the result of a secret "weather weapon" being tested by the U.S. 


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This marks a change in China's tactics, as its influence campaigns have previously focused on defending its policies, particularly regarding Taiwan. Researchers suggest that China is now making more direct attempts to sow discord in the U.S.


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The impact of this disinformation campaign is challenging to measure, but it signals that China may be building a network of accounts for future information operations, potentially including the next U.S. presidential election.  **[Read More]([link removed] 202309-21&utm_medium=email)**

Research and Trends in Extremism
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*A U.S. Border Patrol vehicle drives by a line of asylum-seekers waiting to begin processing in Brownsville, Texas, May 2023 - Michael Gonzalez/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images*


**Feds Catches 160 People on Terror Watch Trying to Cross Border Illegally**


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Federal law enforcement has prevented 160 individuals on the terror watch list from illegally entering the U.S. at the country's borders this fiscal year, marking the highest number ever. This is a significant increase from the 98 individuals stopped the previous year and the 16 who were caught  in 2021.


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The identities of those on the terror watch list are closely guarded due to concerns that revealing them could compromise national security and diplomatic relations.


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The number of people on the watch list attempting to enter the U.S. through its northern border with Canada and southern border with Mexico has surged since President Biden took office, with many attempting to blend in with the large numbers of individuals arriving at international borders. However, government officials have stated that encounters with known or suspected terrorists at the border are uncommon and represent a tiny fraction of total encounters. **[Read More]([link removed] 202309-21&utm_medium=email)**

Have You Found A Story You Think We Should Cover?
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If you see an article on violent extremism in the U.S. or hostile foreign influence that is reliable, timely, and fits into one of the six categories that we cover in this newsletter, please send us a note, either by replying directly to this email or by [**submitting a contact form**]([link removed] 202309-21&utm_medium=email) under the appropriate "news tip" category.  

QUOTABLE
 
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“In questions of power, then, let no more be heard of confidence in man, but bind him down from mischief by the chains of the Constitution.”

*- Thomas Jefferson*

NOTE TO OUR READERS: We have pulled out the salient points of the articles in this newsletter to keep you informed and focused on the most relevant, important and timely news in national security and extremism. While our national security experts stand behind the summary bullets and deem them trustworthy, Clarion Project does not endorse all the views expressed in the articles linked.

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