The Extremism Roundup

Focused on Evidence Instead of Narratives
A weekly compilation of the most important developments in the struggle against radical ideologies

A Word From the CEO

Dear Reader,

The past few weeks have seen a surge in extremism and foreign influence issues in the U.S. Notable incidents include multiple school threats leading to arrests in Michigan, Alabama, and Florida. Politically, President Trump's decision to delay the TikTok ban after its CEO's inauguration appearance signals ongoing debates about foreign tech influence.

Internationally, controversy arose from Imam Al-Husainy's removal from the presidential inauguration for his Hezbollah comments, and unfounded claims by some U.S. activists linking Israel to the LA wildfires. These incidents showcase the complex interplay of misinformation, extremism, and international relations.

Sincerely,

RIchard Green

CEO, Co-Founder

Clarionproject.org

Islamist Extremism

Imam Husham Al-Husainy makes the peace sign with his fingers while standing in front of a "Vote for the Iraqi United Alliance" banner on December 12, 2005, in Dearborn, Mich. - Photo by Bill Pugliano/Getty Images

Hezbollah-Supporting Imam Removed From Trump Inauguration Benediction Role

Imam Husham Al-Husainy, who had previously praised Hezbollah, was excluded from delivering the benediction at Donald Trump's inauguration.
Al-Husainy had refused to acknowledge Hezbollah as a terrorist organization in a 2007 interview, leading to his removal from the event's program.
His removal was a last-minute decision, with no comment from the Trump administration on the reason for his exclusion.
His removal came in the wake of a viral Twitter thread, which detailed Al-Hasainy extensive ties to terrorist organizations. Read More

FBI Investigate sStudent Ties to ISIS

The FBI and Mount Pleasant Police in South Carolina are investigating a Wando High School student for online connections to ISIS sympathizers, discovered during research for a school project.
The student was found to have accessed ISIS propaganda, including chatrooms with extreme violence content, for approximately two years.
The student claimed the research was for an educational project, and no immediate threats to the school or individuals were identified, leading to no charges being filed at this time. Read More

Islamist Groups Celebrate California Fires

ISIS, Al-Qaeda, and Iran-backed media outlets publicly rejoiced over the Los Angeles wildfires.
They promoted the Hashtag '#America Is Burning. Read More

Militant-Right and Militant-Left Extremism

A security camera shot of Travis Keith Garland, dressed as a rabbi, at the Gordon Jewish Community Center - Metropolitan Nashville Police Department via Times of Israel screenshot

Neo-Nazi Arrested at JCC Wearing Rabbi Costume

Travis Keith Garland, 31, who is affiliated with the neo-Nazi Goyim Defense League, was arrested for impersonating a rabbi to gain access to the Gordon Jewish Community Center in Nashville.
Garland wore a fake beard, fake sidelocks, black clothing, and a hat as part of his disguise.
Garland was arrested for criminal trespassing and assault after his actions at the community center. Read More

Far-Left Blames Israel for Wildfires

Far-left groups like Code Pink and Jewish Voice for Peace have controversially blamed the Los Angeles wildfires on U.S. military aid to Israel, linking the crisis to funding for the Jewish state.
Political and religious leaders criticized the activists for using the fires to promote antisemitism through baseless scapegoating, calling it "slanderous scapegoating." Read More

Hate Crime

Sarah Benain, found guilty of hate crime and aggravated battery - Will County Sheriff's Office via Shaw Local News Network screenshot

Florida Woman Sentenced to Probation Over Hate Crime

Sarah Benain, 30, of Naples, Fla., was sentenced to three years of probation for an aggravated battery and hate crime committed against a pregnant Black woman in 2020 at a Homer Glen banquet hall. Read More

Minnesota Man Charged With Hate Crime for Assault

Justin Anthony Kudla, 35, was charged with federal hate crimes for assaulting a Black man outside a bar in Minnesota.
In February 2024, Kudla allegedly used force or threats to injure and intimidate the victim due to his race, leaving the victim unconscious with a brain bleed.
Kudla faces up to 10 years in prison for each hate crime charge if convicted, with additional fines possible. Read More

School Threats

Charles W. Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Fla. - A. Morales via Google Images screenshot

Michigan Teen Arrested for Threats to Florida School

A 15-year-old from Michigan faces felony charges for making a threat against Charles W. Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Fla.
He was arrested in Michigan, and the charges include threats to do bodily harm or death, despite being out of state. Read More

South Carolina Teen Arrested Over Social Media Threat

A 17-year-old student from Sumter County, S.C., was arrested for making a social media threat to "shoot the school up."
The threat was posted online, prompting a rapid response from school officials and law enforcement.
The student was apprehended the same day the threat was discovered. Read More

Foreign Influence Operations

TikTok is welcoming users back after being unavailable on January 18 to users inside the U.S. after a U.S. Supreme Court ban took effect - VCG/VCG via Getty Images

TikTok Ban Halted

President Trump signed an executive order delaying the TikTok ban by 75 days after the app's CEO, Shou Zi Chew, attended his inauguration.
The ban was initially set due to data privacy and national security issues linked to TikTok's Chinese ownership.
Trump suggested a deal where the U.S. government could take a 50 percent ownership in TikTok's U.S. operations. Read More

Former CIA Analyst Pleads Guilty to Leaking Information on Israeli Plan to Attack Iran

A former CIA analyst Asif William Rahman, 34, of Vienna, Va., pleaded guilty to retaining and transmitting classified information about Israeli plans to strike Iran.
Rahman was arrested last year in Cambodia and later taken to Guam.
Rahman faces a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison on each of the two charges: retention and transmission of classified information related to the national defense. Read More

QUOTABLE
“God is not merely interested in the freedom of brown men, yellow men, red men and black men. He is interested in the freedom of the whole human race.”

-- Martin Luther King

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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