An analysis by the National Institute of Justice lays bare what decades of research have quietly tracked.
Domestic terrorism is not evenly distributed across the political spectrum.
It is overwhelmingly driven by far-right extremist movements-white supremacists, anti-government militias, and ideologically radicalized individuals who see violence as a path to reshape society.
This is not opinion.
It is documented evidence from federal case studies, historical data, and terrorism prosecutions.
đź“Š What the Research Shows
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Since the 1990s, far-right violence has consistently outpaced far-left or single-issue terrorism.
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White supremacist groups, often loosely connected but ideologically aligned, remain the most lethal domestic threat.
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Anti-government movements-such as sovereign citizens and militia groups-fuel recurring violent plots.
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Cases linked to Islamist extremists do exist, but they represent a smaller share of incidents inside the U.S. compared to the far-right landscape.
The numbers make the picture clear.
The overwhelming majority of domestic terrorism investigations now involve far-right actors.
🧩 Why the Far Right Dominates
The report points to several structural reasons:
Accessible Recruitment: Online forums, encrypted chats, and mainstream platforms spread propaganda with ease.
Ideological Flexibility: Far-right groups thrive on a broad narrative-anti-immigrant, anti-federal government, anti-minority-making it easier to attract supporters.
Decentralized Networks: Leaderless resistance and lone-wolf encouragement mean groups avoid detection while inspiring attacks.
Historical Legitimacy Narratives: Many cloak their movements in the language of patriotism or heritage, giving extremists a sense of legitimacy.
This ecosystem produces not just organized groups but also self-radicalized individuals who carry out attacks under the same ideological umbrella.
🔍 Key Patterns in Far-Right Violence
The NIJ research highlights recurring tactics and targets:
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Attacks on federal buildings and law enforcement officers
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Violence against racial, ethnic, and religious minorities
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Plots against infrastructure, including power grids
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High-profile assassinations or attempted assassinations
"Domestic terrorism has many faces, but far-right extremism is the most persistent and deadly threat inside the United States."
⚖️ Challenges for Law Enforcement
The fragmented and homegrown nature of far-right terrorism makes it harder to disrupt.
Unlike foreign-linked plots, there are no clear hierarchies or overseas funding streams to track.
Instead, law enforcement confronts:
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Small cells or lone actors radicalized online
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Overlap between constitutionally protected speech and incitement to violence
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A flood of disinformation that masks intent until action is imminent
Agencies must constantly balance civil liberties with the need to intervene early.
🧾 Why It Matters
Public debate often focuses on left-wing protests, "Antifa," or foreign terror threats.
But the evidence compiled in NIJ’s research on domestic terrorism makes plain that the overwhelming problem is from the far right.
Ignoring this reality risks allowing violent extremist networks to flourish under the radar. It also distracts from addressing the true scale of the threat facing American communities.
Original source, since removed from the NIJ website by Trump administration.
