Republicans Slam Obama Administration Report on 'Right-Wing Extremists'

The Deparment of Homeland Security issued a report to law enforcement agencies last week warning of an increase in recruitment and activity by so-called "right-wing extremist" groups. Among the reasons cited by the report (pdf) for the alleged increase are the continuing economic downturn, the election of President Barack Obama as the first black president, and the return of potentially disgruntled war veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan. The report broadly characterized right-wing extremists groups as motivated by hate, rejection of federal government authority, or opposition to single issues "like abortion and immigration," but presents no evidence for its conclusion that such groups could engage in violent acts.

Republicans slammed the report for its sweeping generalizations and lack of specifics. House Minority Leader John Boehner (R-OH) took particular issue with the inclusion of veterans among the report's targeted groups.

"To characterize men and women returning home after defending our country as potential terrorists is offensive and unacceptable. The Department of Homeland Security owes veterans an apology.

Furthermore, the Secretary of Homeland Security owes the American people an explanation for why she has abandoned using the term 'terrorist' to describe those, such as al-Qaeda, who are plotting overseas to kill innocent Americans, while her own department is using the same term to describe American citizens who disagree with the direction Washington Democrats are taking our nation. Everyone agrees that be departmet should be focused on protecting America, but using such broad-based generalizations about the American people is simply outrageous."

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano first defended the report, calling it a necessary look at potenial homegrown threats to the nation. She later apologized to veterans groups for the report, however, saying it was meant as an, "assessment not an accusation." Supporters of the Administration also point out that a report on left-wing extremist groups (pdf) was issued by the Administration earlier this year. But that report focused exclusively on cyber attacks, not physical violence, and discussed specific groups and information. The White House, meanwhile, is attempting to distance President Obama from the report, saying that the president is not focused on politics, but on protecting the country.