◆ SpookStack

UNCKASSFSOMR OAMR. W OARY (w) Domessk Violens Extremiss Resposes to Currens Nyents (w/fouo) We assess that DVEs from across the ideoiogical spectrum are driven to act by connbination of enduring grievances and their perception of current events. In 202o, a range of threat actors were inspired to act by issues related to the COviD-19 pandemuic, government stemming fron the election season. Cur ability to detect and disrupt DVE plotting will cortinue to be constrained by the insular nature and frequency of lone actor activity; the use of social media to make threats of violence upon which DVEs otten do not act; bystandiers' often linited awareness of DVE rdeologies; and some DVEs' continued use of encrypted platforms to promote violent extrenist ideology, recruit new adherenis, and incite or plan atlacks. (W/rcto) A range of DVEs have called for intentionally spreading COVID-19 or retaliating through violent action against perceived government overreach in response to the pandemic, according to open source reporting. Some RMVEs claim government responses to the pandemic could crash the global economy, hasten societal collapse, and lead to a race war, according to a report by a non-prohit organization. in addition, sone DVEs probably are being influenced by online conspiracy theories describing the pandemic as a government-perpetrated hoax, according to the same report by a 3Aey JO Jnpuo> O] sy3nos dAey AIpadae 5aAa [eanAeS uoneziueRio aiJoad-uou conducted, acts of vioience or attempts to destroy critical infrastructure, citing the COViD-19 pandemic as a factor in the timing or motivation of their plotting, according to media reporting and government press releases. b7E -1 (u/rouoy Some DVEs have recently engaged in violence based on their perceptions of political issues such as immigration, particuler politikcal figures, and social justice topics. Their perceptions of the outcone of the 2020 general election could combine with their enduring political and socia! views and lead some DVEs to mobilize to violence in the coming months. (u/rouey Many DVEs adapt their online behaviors to avoid scrutiny or move to more permissive platforms because they perceive some technology companies have made the online environment more hostle to DVE content, such as the inctement or giorification of violence. DVEs' expanded use of encrypled platforms could result in some undetected plotting in the coming months. 3 UNCLASSEO FBI(21cv558)-1759