Concerns About New Domestic Terrorism Laws Come from Multiple Angles

New domestic terrorism laws are being discussed following the Capitol breach on Jan. 6, but concerns about government overreach are surfacing. The Biden administration announced its strategy for fighting domestic terrorism last week; White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki called it "a serious and growing national security threat." A bill was also introduced in the House last week aiming to "authorize dedicated domestic terrorism offices" within government institutions. Others soon spoke out against expanding federal national security powers. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.) said new domestic terror laws would jeopardize civil rights and minority groups, and former Democratic Rep. Tulsi Gabbard said more federal security powers would create an oligarchy and endanger personal freedoms. Government attention to the issue isn't all new; in 2019, Rep. Adam Schiff (D-Calif.) introduced legislation to "create a federal domestic terrorism crime," a move that sparked similar concerns. Some coverage from left-rated sources focused specifically on analyzing how the proposed laws could hurt minority groups. Some reports from right-rated sources concentrated on Gabbard's comments and general concern that the laws could undermine civil liberties. Other coverage tied the issue to separate concerns about media censorship and sovereignty.