DHS Bracing for Violent Civil Unrest if Supreme Court Does Overturn Roe v. Wade, Per Report
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A new report on a memo from the Department of Homeland Security indicates that the government is preparing for potential violent outbursts as the Supreme Court seems prepared to strike down Roe v. Wade.
The memo was obtained by Axios, who reported that “Law enforcement agencies are investigating social-media threats to burn down or storm the Supreme Court building and murder justices and their clerks, as well as attacks targeting places of worship and abortion clinics.” The report follows the widespread public uproar that took place after a leaked majority opinion from Justice Samuel Alito foreshadowed an oncoming rollback of federal abortion rights protections.
In the days after the Roe news broke, the ensuing outrage led to increased security around the Supreme Court, pro-choice protesters demonstrating outside the homes of conservative justices, and an arson attack against a pro-life organization. According to the memo, the DHS fears that threats connected to abortion rights “are likely to persist and may increase leading up to and following the issuing of the Court’s official ruling.”
“[The DHS] is committed to protecting Americans’ freedom of speech and other civil rights and civil liberties, including the right to peacefully protest,” a spokesperson told Axios. “DHS is also committed to working with our partners across every level of government and the private sector to share timely information and intelligence, prevent all forms of violence, and to support law enforcement efforts to keep our communities safe.”
Jonathan Wackrow, a risk management consultant and a former special agent with the U.S. Secret Service, spoke to Axios about his thoughts on how the racially-motivated mass shooting last weekend at a Buffalo grocery store could reflect the aftermath with Roe either way. Mediaite also spoke with Wackrow, who offered his assessment on what may happen if Roe is upheld:
In the event Roe is upheld, we anticipate widespread celebratory demonstrations by left-leaning groups. Although the bulk of these events is likely to be peaceful, there is the potential for some violence or destructive behavior, such as looting.
I do not anticipate widespread counterprotests by right-leaning groups. However, strong ideological beliefs held by far-right domestic violent extremists (DVEs) and criminal actors may be the catalyst to attract Lonewolf-style / small group attacks against increasing government, reproductive healthcare personnel and facilities, and ideological opponents.
If Roe is struck down:
If Roe is struck down, we anticipate isolated celebratory demonstrations by right-leaning conservative groups; far larger, however, are likely to be counter-demonstrations against the decision in most major metropolitan areas in the United States by abortion advocates. Although the bulk of these events are likely to be peaceful – albeit aggravated – isolated clashes between the two entities have the potential to spark broader disturbance. Additionally, we predict a rise in left-wing abortion-related violent extremist (ARVE) groups engaging in direct action against anti-abortion groups. These direct actions are coupled with a significant rise in violent threats directed at Judges and judicial institutions.
