Fact check: Did the DOJ redact a study that showed the far right is more threatening than the far left

1. Summary of the results

The analyses provided suggest that the Department of Justice (DOJ) did remove a study from its website that showed far-right extremists committed more ideologically motivated homicides than far-left or radical Islamist extremists ^{[1] [2] [3]}. This study reportedly found that far-right extremists have been responsible for the majority of extremist-related killings in the US since 1990 ^{[2] [3]}. Multiple sources confirm the removal of the study, with some providing additional context and comments from users expressing concern over the deletion ^[4]. The removal of the study has been linked to the growing concern of far-right terrorism, which is considered a significant and transnational threat ^[5]. Right-wing attacks and plots have accounted for the majority of all terrorist incidents in the United States since 1994 ^[6].

2. Missing context/alternative viewpoints

Some sources provide alternative viewpoints, such as a study comparing the use of political violence by left-wing, right-wing, and Islamist extremists, which found that radical acts perpetrated by individuals associated with left-wing causes are less likely to be violent ^[7]. Additionally, a press release from the Department of Homeland Security attributes the increase in assaults against DHS law enforcement to hateful rhetoric from the media and leftist groups, which could be seen as an attempt to shift the focus away from right-wing violence ^[8]. The context of the study's removal and its implications are still unclear, with some sources suggesting that the study's findings may have been inconvenient for the administration ^{[1] [3]}. The lack of transparency surrounding the study's removal has raised concerns about the potential for political interference in the reporting of extremist violence ^{[2] [6]}.

3. Potential misinformation/bias in the original statement

The original statement may be subject to bias, as it only presents one side of the issue, namely that the far right is more threatening than the far left ^{[1] [2]}. Some sources may have a vested interest in promoting this narrative, such as those with a liberal or progressive agenda ^{[4] [5]}. On the other hand, sources with a conservative or right-wing bias may downplay the threat of far-right extremism ^[8]. The removal of the study by the DOJ may have been motivated by political considerations, rather than a genuine concern for accuracy or national security ^{[3] [9]}. It is essential to consider multiple sources and viewpoints to gain a comprehensive understanding of the issue and to avoid perpetuating misinformation or bias ^{[1] [5] [7]}.