Exclusive: FBI document warns conspiracy theories are a new domestic terrorism threat

[demmiblue]

Source: Yahoo News

The FBI for the first time has identified fringe conspiracy theories as a domestic terrorist threat, according to a previously unpublicized document obtained by Yahoo News. (Read the document below.)

The FBI intelligence bulletin from the bureau’s Phoenix field office, dated May 30, 2019, describes “conspiracy theory-driven domestic extremists,” as a growing threat, and notes that it is the first such report to do so. It lists a number of arrests, including some that haven’t been publicized, related to violent incidents motivated by fringe beliefs.

The document specifically mentions QAnon, a shadowy network that believes in a deep state conspiracy against President Trump, and Pizzagate, the theory that a pedophile ring including Clinton associates was being run out of the basement of a Washington, D.C., pizza restaurant (which didn’t actually have a basement).

“The FBI assesses these conspiracy theories very likely will emerge, spread, and evolve in the modern information marketplace, occasionally driving both groups and individual extremists to carry out criminal or violent acts,” the document states. It also goes on to say the FBI believes conspiracy theory-driven extremists are likely to increase during the 2020 presidential election cycle.

Read more: https://news.yahoo.com/fbi-documents-conspiracy-theories-terrorism-160000507.html

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[bucolic_frolic]

1. I didn't know a theory could be a threat

I thought the threat was from the people who follow the theories and act on their beliefs about the theories.

Arrest those theories! Pronto!

[Initech]

3. Oh yes they can be. Pizzagate, Qanon, Seth Rich... the list goes on and on.

I miss the good old days when conspiracy theories were from laughable crackpots about aliens and bigfoot.

https://www.nytimes.com/2017/06/22/us/pizzagate-attack-sentence.html
https://www.thedailybeast.com/reddit-bans-qanon-subreddits-for-inciting-violence

[bucolic_frolic]

4. Wow, I didn't know that. Thanks.

How many people did these theories kill, collectively? No perps involved, just the theories? What type of weapon did the theories use?

[Initech]

6. I don't think it's the theory itself.

I think it's the fans that latch onto that theory and run with it that produces that level of violence. The people behind the Pizzagate theory are a dangerous and scary bunch - Alex Jones, Jack Posobiec, Mike Cernovich, Tomi Lahren, the list goes on and on.

[bucolic_frolic]

7. Exactly.

That's why I'm posting these ridiculous questions. The article says the theory is the threat. But that's just a way of dodging responsibility. It's the groups that follow the theories that carry out the violence. What a ridiculous article, placing theory as the active agent. What can you expect from Yahoo! News?

[Initech]

2. I've been saying this since the election.

Trump *THRIVES* on conspiracy theories and bullshit. Better to cut it off at the source!

[pecosbob]

5. A truly Dicksian dystopia

[LogicFirst]

8. Apparently, these theories weren't a threat to Obama's birth certificate.

But now - ????

[ck4829]

9. K&R

[duforsure]

10. So if putin's puppet

Is considered a terrorist he loses all his rights , and can be hauled off, and locked up, and interrogated .

[cstanleytech]

11. The Republican party is a terrorism threat.

[marble falls]

12. Someone needs to warn Sen Moscow Mitch McTraitor tout sweet!