In remarks bound to jolt some conservative groups, Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson says right-wing extremists are just as dangerous to the United States as Islamic radicals.
The
Daily Caller reports Johnson made the bombshell remarks in January at a meeting of the Homeland Security Advisory Council’s (HSAC).
During the sit-down, Art Acevedo, Chief of Police in Austin, Texas, who sits on the council, brought up the subject of extreme right-wingers.
“Member Acevedo reminded the Council that the threat from right-wing extremists domestically is just as real as the threat from Islamic extremism,” The Daily Caller said, quoting the minutes of the meeting.
“Secretary Johnson agreed and noted that CVE [Subcommittee on Combating Violent Extremism], by definition, is not solely focused on one religion,” the minutes state.
The meeting took place one month after 14 people were shot dead in a terrorist attack in San Bernardino, California.
A June 9 report from the HSAC highlighted the importance of using "American English" in fighting terrorism versus words or terms that could offend Muslims.