Fact check: DOJ Deletes Study Showing Domestic Terrorists Are Most Often Right Wing

1. Summary of the results

The original statement claims that the Department of Justice (DOJ) deleted a study showing that domestic terrorists are most often right-wing. According to the analysis from ^[1], the article reports that the DOJ removed a study indicating that white supremacist and far-right violence continues to outpace all other types of terrorism and domestic violent extremism in the United States, which supports the claim ^[1]. However, other analyses provide more nuanced perspectives on the topic. For instance, ^[2] discusses various perspectives on the topic, including comments that express skepticism about the article's claim and others that discuss the complexities of defining and tracking domestic terrorism ^[2]. Additionally, ^[3] finds that far-right terrorism has significantly outpaced terrorism from other types of perpetrators, and that right-wing attacks and plots account for the majority of all terrorist incidents in the United States since 1994 ^[3]. The analysis from ^[4] highlights the lack of transparency and consistency in the DOJ's data collection and reporting on domestic terrorism, making it difficult to assess the scope of the threat ^[4].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Several analyses provide context that is missing from the original statement. For example, ^[5] discusses the threat of domestic terrorism, particularly from right-wing extremists, and how rhetoric from former President Donald Trump and MAGA Republicans has inspired violence ^[5]. The analysis from ^[6] mentions the sentencing of Enrique Tarrio, the former leader of the Proud Boys, and the rise of white supremacist and far-right violence ^[6]. Furthermore, ^[7] identifies areas where the DOJ can improve its efforts to investigate and prosecute domestic violent extremism, including formulating an internal strategic framework and refining efforts to ensure consistent identification of DVE-related cases ^[7]. The analysis from ^[8] highlights the need for comprehensive and objective data on domestic terrorism to inform policy decisions and counterterrorism efforts ^[8]. These analyses provide a more comprehensive understanding of the issue, including the complexities of defining and tracking domestic terrorism, the need for accurate data, and the importance of addressing the root causes of extremism.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be misleading or biased, as it does not provide a complete picture of the issue. The claim that the DOJ deleted a study showing that domestic terrorists are most often right-wing is supported by ^[1], but other analyses suggest that the issue is more complex ^[1]. The lack of transparency and consistency in the DOJ's data collection and reporting on domestic terrorism, as highlighted by ^[4], makes it difficult to assess the scope of the threat ^[4]. Additionally, the analysis from ^[3] finds that far-right terrorism has significantly outpaced terrorism from other types of perpetrators, but this does not necessarily mean that the DOJ deleted a study showing this ^[3]. The original statement may benefit those who want to criticize the DOJ for allegedly covering up the threat of right-wing domestic terrorism, but it does not provide a nuanced understanding of the issue ^[1]. A more balanced approach would consider the complexities of defining and tracking domestic terrorism, the need for accurate data, and the importance of addressing the root causes of extremism, as highlighted by various analyses ^{[2] [5] [6] [4] [7] [8]}.