Islamist Extremism |
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Police, HSI, ATF and F BI agents maintaini a high security presence as Bourbon Street, Canal Street and the French Quarter reopens following the New Year's Day truck ramming attack - Kyle Mazza/Anadolu via Getty Images |
New Orleans ISIS Attack Kills 14
Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a 42-year-old from Texas, was identified by the FBI as the perpetrator of the New Orleans New Year's Day attack. Jabbar killed 14 people and injured about 35 others by driving into crowds on Bourbon Street before being fatally shot by police. Before the attack, Jabbar posted videos on social media inspired by ISIS, proclaiming his support for the group and mentioning his conversion to Islam. An Army veteran, Jabbar had visited New Orleans twice before the attack, using Meta glasses to record videos, and had a history including real estate work and financial struggles. Read More Pennsylvania Man Indicted for Attempting to Support Hezbollah
Jack Danaher Molloy, 24, from Pittsburgh, was indicted for attempting to support the terrorist group Hezbollah and for making false statements to the FBI. Molloy traveled to Lebanon and Syria with the aim of joining Hezbollah, despite being told by contacts that the timing was not right. He allegedly expressed hatred toward Jewish people and used antisemitic usernames on social media platforms, including "KIKEKILLER313" on X. Molloy faces up to 20 years for the terrorism support charge and up to eight years for false statements, with a combined maximum penalty of 28 years in prison if convicted. Read More |
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Militant-Right and Militant-Left Extremism |
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FBI seized over 150 homemade explosives from a Virginia man’s home - via U.S. Attorney’s Office, Eastern District of Virginia, via AP, via Fox News screenshot |
150 Bombs Found in Virginia Home
- The FBI discovered over 150 homemade bombs at the home of Brad Spafford, 36, in Virginia. This is one of the largest seizures of homemade explosive devices in FBI history.
- Spafford was initially arrested on a firearms charge, leading to the discovery of the explosives in his garage and home.
- Evidence suggests Spafford had expressed interest in political assassinations, using images of President Biden for target practice.
- While facing a firearms charge, Spafford could face additional charges related to the explosives found during the search. Read More
Animal Rights Terrorist Arrested
- An animal rights activist listed on the FBI's Most Wanted Terrorist List was arrested after 15 years on the run.
- Known for multiple acts of arson and vandalism aimed at fur farms and research labs, the activist was part of a radical group targeting animal testing facilities.
- The activist evaded capture by moving between countries, using counterfeit documents and disguises.
- The individual is now in custody, facing charges that could lead to life imprisonment if convicted on all counts. Read More
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Hate Crime |
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Victims told investigators that a group of teenagers beat them and damaged their vehicles after luring them via a gay dating app -via ABC7 Chicago screenshot
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11 Teens Charged in Anti-Gay Attack
Eleven teenagers have been charged with felonies for attacking two men they lured via a gay dating app in Mount Prospect, Ill. The attacks occurred over the summer, involving physical assault and vandalism of the victims' vehicles. One teen faces additional hate crime charges for using racial and derogatory terms during the assault. Police noted that the teens were inspired by a social media trend, prompting warnings to parents about online influences. Read More Missouri Man Indicted for Threats to NAACP
- Darryl Jaspering, 62, from Warrenton, Miss., was indicted for sending racially motivated threats to the St. Louis NAACP.
- Jaspering faces one count of transmitting threatening communications and one count of interference with federally protected activities.
- He allegedly wrote a message on the NAACP's contact page using racial slurs and threats of physical harm with a dangerous weapon.
- Jaspering could face up to 15 years in prison and fines totaling up to $500,000 if convicted. Read More
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School Threats |
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Photo illustration of a smartphone screen displaying the logo of social media app TikTok - Anna Barclay/Getty Images
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Washington Student Arrested Over Social Media Threat
A Richland, Wash., school district student was arrested for allegedly posting a school shooting threat on TikTok. The threat specified a "Mass cms school shooting on January 6th 12:30" in a comment on a TikTok video. The Kennewick Police Department and Richland Police Department acted swiftly after another student reported the threat. Following an investigation by the Richland Police Department's Criminal Investigations Division, the student was identified and taken into custody. Read More Illinois Woman Charged After Making Threat to “Shoot Up” Elementary School
- Esmeralda E. Vargas, 18, was charged with a felony for making a TikTok threat to "shoot up" North Elementary School in Des Plaines, Ill.
- Vargas's post praised the Uvalde school shooter and mentioned North Elementary as a target, leading to her arrest after an anonymous tip.
- Des Plaines police, with TikTok's cooperation, traced the post back to Vargas's home, finding no weapons during a search.
- Vargas faces one felony count of disorderly conduct, with the incident highlighting the seriousness of school threat investigations. Read More
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Foreign Influence Operations |
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U.S. V.P. Kamala Harris certifies the Electoral College vote during a joint session of Congress to ratify the 2024 Presidential election at the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2025 - Win McNamee/Getty Images |
Russian and Iranian Entities Attempted to Interfere in 2024 US Election
The U.S. Treasury Department sanctioned entities in Russia and Iran for attempting to interfere in the 2024 U.S. election through disinformation campaigns. The Moscow-based Center for Geopolitical Expertise, linked to the GRU, used AI to create and spread fake news and deepfakes targeting U.S. elections. The Cognitive Design Production Center, a subsidiary of Iran's IRGC, planned influence operations to incite socio-political tensions among U.S. voters. These sanctions are part of broader U.S. efforts to protect the integrity of its elections from foreign influence. Read More California Political Operative Arrested for Acting as Illegal Chinese Agent
Yaoning "Mike" Sun, 64, from Chino Hills, Calif., was arrested for allegedly acting as an illegal agent of the People's Republic of China. Sun managed the campaign of a Southern California politician elected in 2022 while secretly working for Chinese interests. He conspired with Chen Jun, who was previously sentenced for similar charges, to influence local politics, especially on Taiwan issues. Sun faces up to 10 years in prison for acting as an illegal agent and an additional five years for conspiracy if convicted. Read More |
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QUOTABLE
“ Since the general civilization of mankind, there are more instances of the abridgement of the freedom of the people by gradual and silent encroachments of those in power than by violent and sudden usurpation.”
-- James Madison
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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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