Introduction
Domestic terrorism occurs mainly within the territorial jurisdiction of the United States. It includes actions aimed at intimidating or coercing the civilian population, influencing government policy through intimidation or pressure, or controlling government behavior through mass destruction. The Federal Government does not form an official and public list of internal terrorist organizations or individuals since such a list may interfere with freedom of expression related to the ideologies underlying the activities of certain groups (Department of Homeland Security, 2022). Naturally, the main focus of the anti-terrorist strategy is to protect the residents and interests of the United States, both on American territory and abroad, by strengthening the country’s defense capability, as well as recognizing and neutralizing the terrorist threat at the earliest possible stage.
Discussion
The entire spectrum of American power becomes the instruments of ensuring this strategy: economic, diplomatic, informational, and military. However, special emphasis is placed on three main directions designed to ensure the success of the “four D” strategy: permanent legal instruments that vigilantly monitor compliance with the law; effective activities of intelligence services; military – the last resort to avert the impending threat (National Security Council, 2021). In the United States, there is no comprehensive federal law directly dealing with terrorism (Department of Homeland Security, 2022). A terrorist act may be recognized as the commission or attempt to organize an explosion, armed robbery, arson, murder, attack, missile strike, seizure of vehicles, buildings, hostage-taking, or embassy buildings. All these actions are punishable by federal or State laws and may be considered terrorist, depending on the motives.
Effective, responsible, and sustainable counteraction to domestic terrorism requires joint efforts of the Government while protecting the rule of law and the special prerogatives of law enforcement agencies. This includes policies protecting the independence and integrity of the Department of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation, intensifying the Federal Government’s efforts to combat domestic terrorism and renewing partnerships with state, local, community, and territorial governments, as well as with civil society and the private sector.
Special prerogatives of law enforcement agencies are granted at all levels, which belong to the Ministry of Justice, including the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Analysis of key trends and trajectories is now regularly conducted by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Department of Homeland Security with the support of the National Counterterrorism Center and other organizations, as appropriate, and then widely disseminated in the Federal Government (National Security Council, 2021). Through this expanded research and analysis related to domestic terrorism, the Federal Government will continue to improve the exchange of information on domestic terrorist threats within the Government so that all relevant states and local governments are equipped with the necessary means to take appropriate action.
Fire, police, EMS, and emergency management organizations are part of state and local governments’ terrorism response plans. State and local governments are the initial point of contact for emergency responses to domestic terrorism, including evacuation and sheltering, according to the NRP, NIMS, and SLG 101 (National Security Council, 2021). The governor urges State and local organizations to sign mutual aid agreements with other governments to share resources. The State’s National Guard forces, which can be requested to assist in response to an act of terrorism, are under the direction of the governor (Homeland Security, 2018). A governor often has the authority to enact, alter, and repeal laws in times of emergency. When the State’s resources are depleted, the governor may request a Stafford Act for federal help. State laws grant authority to the county, parish, and city government entities in a State to conduct local emergency preparedness and response for respective areas (Homeland Security, 2018). The top municipal authority who oversees emergency response actions and resources in his or her jurisdiction is the mayor of the city, county, or parish.
Large-scale evacuations are typically commanded in collaboration with State authorities at the county, parish, and municipal levels. According to the Federal Government, State and municipal governments are aware of their duties and obligations in managing domestic incidents (National Security Council, 2021). Domestic incident management is typically the first responsibility of the state and local governments. When state and local governments’ resources are exhausted or when national interests are at stake, the Federal Government will offer assistance (Homeland Security, 2018). When domestic threats of terrorism become international through communication with foreign entities or otherwise, a complete set of tools applicable to understanding threats of international terrorism, such as intelligence gathering tools, becomes potentially available.
Conclusion
Despite the fact that federal law enforcement agencies do important work to protect Americans from threats of domestic terrorism and a wide range of other problems, state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement agencies often serve as the first line of defense against domestic terrorism. Huge funds are being concentrated in the United States, and new methods and methods are being worked out aimed at ensuring comprehensive security against terrorist threats. The American leadership is establishing cooperation with other countries in this area. For this purpose, new international legal mechanisms for countering terrorism are being formed.
References
Department of Homeland Security. (2022). DHS could do more to address the threats of domestic terrorism.
Homeland Security. (2018). National prevention framework.
National Security Council. (2021). National strategy for countering domestic terrorism.