Free speech labeled as terrorism threat by US Department of Homeland Security

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Since the Biden administration cannot impede upon the First Amendment, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has now published a terrorist advisory system bulletin warning of a “heightened threat environment” nationwide.

The wording on the DHS publication is so broad that it appears to include constitutionally protected free speech along with violent activity.

DHS alleges that there have been allegedly misleading reports about Covid-19 mandates or vaccines targeting alternative media.

Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro Mayorkas stated the National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin was fueled by multiple factors, including “an online environment filled with false or misleading narratives and conspiracy theories, and other forms of mis- dis- and mal-information (MDM) introduced and/or amplified by foreign and domestic threat actors” who seek to “exacerbate societal friction to sow discord and undermine public trust in government institutions to encourage unrest, which could potentially inspire acts of violence.”

The agency didn’t actually say who is to blame for the suspected spread of misinformation or disinformation, whether foreign or domestic forces.

“Mass casualty attacks and other acts of targeted violence conducted by lone offenders and small groups acting in furtherance of ideological beliefs and/or personal grievances pose an ongoing threat to the nation,” the DHS went on to say while adding that some people are attempting to “sow discord or undermine public trust in U.S. government institutions.”

The bulletin claimed that some people are advocating violence towards key infrastructure, faith-based organizations such as churches or synagogues, colleges, government employees or buildings, as well as other targets.

The DHS claims that there have been deceptive narratives around Covid-19 mandates or vaccines and that certain people have exploited Covid-19 mandates or vaccines to launch attacks since 2020, as an example of important aspects that supposedly attribute to the elevated threat environment.

The agency didn’t go into detail or provide any additional information to back up its claims. Online charges of electoral fraud were also mentioned by the DHS, but no further specifics or evidence were provided.

The agency said that “foreign terrorist organizations and domestic threat actors continue to amplify pre-existing false or misleading narratives online to sow discord and undermine public trust in government institutions.

It said violent extremists, including the individual who recently launched an attack against the synagogue in Texas, highlight “the continuing threat of violence based upon racial or religious motivations, as well as threats against faith-based organizations.”

According to the advisory, the ISIS terrorist organization and its allies “may issue public calls for retaliation due to the strike that recently killed ISIS leader Abu Ibrahim al-Hashimi al-Qurayshi.” Al-Qurayshi was murdered during an operation in northern Syria, according to the Biden administration.

A recent risk to black institutions and universities across the United States was also included in the warning.

“Domestic violent extremists have also viewed attacks against U.S. critical infrastructure as a means to create chaos and advance ideological goals, and have recently aspired to disrupt U.S. electric and communications critical infrastructure, including by spreading false or misleading narratives about 5G cellular technology,” the bulletin continued.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “The National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin is the latest tactic by the Biden administration to trample on the First Amendment and bully law-abiding citizens. When did criticizing government institutions and policies regarding masking and vaccine mandates become a domestic terrorism threat? When did public assemblies alone become a threat?”

“The First Amendment guarantees freedom of religion, expression, assembly, and the right to petition the government. Freedom of speech is a fundamental right of every dissenting voice to freely voice or express their opinions and ideas. The First Amendment does not have a truth meter that the government must pre-approve.”

“The Founders considered free speech to be a natural right that was vital to the existence of a healthy republic. However, this administration apparently feels threatened by Americans who think for themselves and will not uncritically accept government propaganda and coercion.”

The heightened risk warning will end on June 7, 2022, according to the Department of Homeland Security.