Sipu Jha
Investigative journalist Kenneth Klippenstein revealed a leaked Justice Department memo that instructs FBI to begin compiling a list of American individuals and groups who can become potential domestic extremists. The document was reportedly signed by Attorney General Pam Bondi. It has a sweeping plan to identify, track and investigate citizens based on political and ideological indicators rather than specific acts of violence.According to the memo, the FBI is ordered to “compile a list of groups or entities engaging in acts that may constitute domestic terrorism”. The criteria almost perfectly align with President Trump’s directive, National Security Presidential Memorandum 7, which the memo says it aims to implement.
Who could be placed on the FBI watchlist
The memo explicitly lists categories of people who may be referred for federal scrutiny. According to its wording, individuals or groups may be flagged if they display any of the following:
- Opposition to law and immigration enforcement
- Extreme views in favor of mass migration and open borders
- Adherence to radical gender ideology
- Anti-Americanism
- Anti-capitalism
- Anti-Christianity
The document also sets out behaviour or associations that could trigger an investigation:
- Conduct that “may constitute domestic terrorism” under internal definitions
- Connections to leadership figures in targeted groups
- Mentions or reports submitted through an expanded FBI tip line
- Any activity linked to incidents from the past five years that match memo indicators
- Actions that result in referral to a Joint Terrorism Task Force
- Association with networks identified through “all available investigative tools”
Furthermore, the memo instructs the FBI to create a cash reward system for information leading to arrests, expand its public tip line and encourage cooperators who can provide testimony against others.The directive cites the killing of conservative activist and MAGA ally Charlie Kirk as a turning point and orders task forces to map networks “inside and outside the United States”.The revelations come amid growing concern about NSPM 7 and the possibility of a new domestic counterterrorism framework that could place millions of Americans under suspicion for their political beliefs, according to Kenneth Klippenstein.
What is NSPM 7?
National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 is a directive signed by President Trump that sets out broad criteria for identifying domestic extremist threats inside the United States. It focuses heavily on ideological indicators rather than violent acts, raising concerns that the policy could blur the line between dissent and terrorism.
Who is Kenneth Klippenstein?
Kenneth Klippenstein is an American investigative journalist known for publishing leaked government documents and exposing internal law enforcement practices. He has worked with The Intercept, The Nation and The Young Turks, and his reporting often focuses on national security, surveillance and government accountability.
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