Implementation Plan for the Strategy to Combat Domestic Terrorism in the United States

Key Chapter Title List

1. Understanding and Sharing Information Related to Domestic Terrorism
2. Preventing Domestic Terrorism Recruitment and Mobilization to Violence
3. Disrupting and Deterring Domestic Terrorism Activity
4. Confronting Long-Term Contributors to Domestic Terrorism
5. Understanding the Transnational Dimensions of Domestic Terrorism
6. Enhancing Domestic Terrorism Prevention Resources and Services
7. Addressing Online Domestic Terrorism Recruitment and Mobilization
8. Facilitating Investigations and Prosecutions of Domestic Terrorism Crimes
9. Evaluating Potential Legislative Reforms
10. Improving Screening and Vetting to Counter the Full Range of Terrorism Threats
11. Facilitating Information Sharing Across All Levels
12. Enhancing Digital Literacy and Evidence-Based Prevention Programs

Document Introduction

This document is the official accompanying implementation plan for the United States' National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism, which has been finalized and approved at the Deputy Secretary level. The plan aims to provide clear direction and guidance to U.S. government departments and agencies to address the current and growing threat of domestic terrorism in a coordinated and systematic manner. The development of this plan is based on a comprehensive assessment of the domestic terrorism threat provided by the intelligence and law enforcement communities in March 2021, ensuring its operational framework is closely linked to the current threat landscape.

The plan is structured around the four pillars of the strategy. The first pillar focuses on "Understanding and Sharing Information Related to Domestic Terrorism," aiming to build a more comprehensive and acute threat awareness capability by enhancing analytical research, improving information sharing across levels (including federal, state, local, tribal, territorial, and with non-governmental partners), and clarifying the transnational dimensions of domestic terrorism. The second pillar is dedicated to "Preventing Domestic Terrorism Recruitment and Mobilization to Violence." Its strategies include strengthening prevention resources and services, integrating mental health support, developing digital literacy programs, establishing local threat assessment and management networks, and focusing on preventing radicalization within military populations and prison environments.

The third pillar, "Disrupting and Deterring Domestic Terrorism Activity," focuses on the operational level. It aims to effectively dismantle terrorist plots and bring perpetrators to justice by ensuring adequate law enforcement resources, optimizing investigation and prosecution procedures, improving information-sharing mechanisms with non-federal law enforcement partners, and evaluating the need for new legislative authorities. The fourth pillar, "Confronting Long-Term Contributors to Domestic Terrorism," looks at broader societal governance. Its goals include reducing access to assault weapons, improving crisis intervention and mental health services, strengthening civic education to enhance democratic resilience, combating hate crimes, and increasing social cohesion by promoting civic engagement.

This implementation plan specifies various actions, lead agencies, supporting departments, and specific performance metrics. It also establishes an oversight mechanism where the Counterterrorism Security Group/Domestic Violent Extremism Group, convened by National Security Council staff, conducts at least annual reviews. The document emphasizes that all implementation efforts must adhere to the rule of law, protect civil rights and liberties, and align with American values, reflecting a balanced consideration between robust counterterrorism efforts and upholding the fundamental norms of civil society.