US to face heightened threat of domestic violence in 2022: DHS

US racially and ethnically motivated extremists continue to promote attacks on Congress, school and public health officials, as they share online information how to build bombs, says a new US terror threat bulletin.

The new National Terrorism Advisory System bulletin, released by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on Wednesday, said violent extremists continue to exploit false narratives to promote violence online.

“Through the remainder of 2021 and into 2022, racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists and anti-government/anti-authority violent extremists will continue to pose a threat to the United States,” it said.

The advisory said that domestic extremists "continue to derive inspiration and obtain operational guidance regarding the use of IEDs and small arms through the consumption of information shared in online forums."

“Extremists have called for attacks on elected officials, political representatives, government facilities, law enforcement, religious communities, commercial facilities and perceived ideological opponents," it added.

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Violent extremists, it said, could use encrypted messaging to try to "obscure operational indicators that provide specific warning of a pending act of violence."

"The Homeland continues to face a diverse and challenging threat environment," it added.

DHS also found that the ongoing pandemic continues to be a spark for violent rhetoric, as well.

If new restrictions are imposed, the DHS said, "anti-government violent extremists could potentially use the new restrictions as a rationale to target government or public health facilities."

The DHS' head of counterterrorism and intelligence John Cohen told a House committee last week that "the period of threat that we are in today is one of the most complex, volatile and dynamic that I have experienced in my career."

Earlier this year, US Attorney General Merrick Garland warned that domestic violent extremist groups, particularly those that advocate for the superiority of the white race, posed the greatest threat to America. Testifying to a senate hearing, he said that the threat of "lethality is higher than it ever was" in the US.

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The new DHS document also warns that al Qaeda and Daesh-linked terrorists are ramping up online threats since the US withdrew from Afghanistan, in late August.

Following the chaotic withdrawal, the bulletin said, al-Qaeda and its affiliates, as well as the Daesh terrorist “have celebrated perceived victories over the United States and encouraged the use of violence by their followers and supporters to further their objectives.”

The department warned that foreign terrorist groups "will likely continue to maintain a highly visible online presence in an attempt to inspire US-based individuals to engage in violent activity."

The US completed the chaotic withdrawal of its forces from Afghanistan by the end of August, in what observers saw as a botched exit after a futile military adventure lasting 20 years.

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