Southland Faces Heightened Domestic Terror Threat, Feds Warn

LOS ANGELES, CA — The Southland faces a heightened threat of domestic terrorism at the hands of political extremists over the next several weeks, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security warned Wednesday.

The continued danger is part of the fallout from events surrounding the presidential transition, the U.S. Capitol riot and debunked conspiracy theories about a stolen election, according to a National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin.

"Information suggests that some ideologically motivated violent extremists with objections to the exercise of governmental authority and the presidential transition, as well as other perceived grievances fueled by false narratives, could continue to mobilize to incite or commit violence," according to the bulletin issued by the Department of Homeland Security.

The bulletin, warning law enforcement agencies across the Southland and the nation to be on alert, did not cite any specific attack threats. It did, however, reference sporadic violence at protests and the 2019 anti-immigration shooting carried out in El Paso, Texas, that killed 23 people.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, extremists appear to be emboldened "by the Jan. 6, 2021, breach of the U.S. Capitol Building in Washington, D.C., to target elected officials and government facilities."

Federal officials encouraged members of the public to report any suspicious activity and threats of violence, "including online activity," to local law enforcement or the FBI. Leading up to the riot at the Capitol, there were numerous threats posted online, making it clear that some people planned to march on the Capitol. Several threats specifically reference plans to attack lawmakers.

"DHS encourages state, local, tribal and territorial homeland security partners to continue prioritizing physical security measures, particularly around government facilities, to protect people and critical infrastructure," according to the bulletin.

The warning comes just days after a bomb rocked a church in El Monte known for hateful rhetoric. The explosion remains under investigation.

SEE ALSO: Bomb Rocks Extremist Church In El Monte

A media association, the Radio Television Digital News Association, responded to the bulletin by warning newsrooms across the nation to take extra precautions as targets of online threats.

was among those reacting to the bulletin, noting that the alert cites "ongoing threats toward critical infrastructure like telecommunications. RTDNA urges newsrooms to prepare safety plans and practice extra vigilance in the field."

City News Service and Patch Staffer Paige Austin contributed to this report.