January 22, 2021
THE WEEK’S BIG 3
Amid unprecedented security concerns, due in large part to the Capitol Hill riot two weeks earlier, Joe Biden was sworn in as the 46th President of the United States and Kamala Harris became the first woman and first woman of color to hold the office of Vice President. President Biden issued an executive order ending Trump’s travel ban on noncitizens from 13 countries. Prosecutors filed the first significant conspiracy charge in the U.S. Capitol attack, alleging that three members of the so-called Oath Keepers, an extremist militant group, planned and coordinated ahead of the January 6 assault.
Read on for more on these headlines, news you can use to fight hate and the latest info about ADL from around the country.
1) Amid Unprecedented Security Concerns, President Biden and Vice President Harris Take Office
“Noting that he was being inaugurated on the Capitol steps just two weeks after it was stormed by a ‘riotous mob,’ Mr. Biden said the country has been reminded that ‘democracy is precious, democracy is fragile, and at this hour, my friends, democracy has prevailed.’” CBS News: READ MORE
+ ADL Resource: Extremism and Political Violence in America -- Current Landscape, Future Outlook
2) Biden Ends Trump’s Travel Ban
“The policy, colloquially known as the ‘Muslim ban,’ first went into effect in January 2017 and became one of Trump’s signature immigration policies. The ban has slowed or altogether halted legal immigration from certain countries that the former administration deemed to be security threats, keeping families apart and even stymieing refugee resettlement.” Vox: LEARN MORE
+ FROM 2017 -- ADL to Supreme Court: Block the Muslim Ban
3) Members of Extremist Oath Keepers Group Planned Attack on US Capitol, Prosecutors Say
“In an amended complaint unsealed Tuesday in federal court, an FBI agent divulged striking new details about the group's efforts. Jessica Watkins, the alleged founder of an Ohio militia, had instructions to make explosives out of bleach printed out at her home, according to the court document.” CNN: FULL STORY
+ ADL Resource: Who are the Oath Keepers?
KEY ADL SOCIAL STATEMENTS
- DREAMers are our friends, loved ones, neighbors & colleagues – they belong here & we are thrilled that @POTUS has ordered @DHSgov & @TheJusticeDept to preserve & defend #DACA until Congress passes legislation to secure DREAMers’ futures. #HomeIsHere…
- Especially after the violent insurrection at the Capitol, it is clear that we need to establish federal offices to handle the threat of domestic terrorism. Thank you @RepSchneider & @SenatorDurbin for re-introducing the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act…
- We have seen QAnon grow into a prominent and potentially violent threat. Grateful to hear @ODNIgov nominee Avril Haines commit to investigating and treating this alarming conspiracy theory like the danger that it is…
IN THE COMMUNITY
- Tracking extremist groups: ADL says it’s working with law enforcement to thwart threats in Richmond (NBC Richmond, VA -- Doron Ezickson interviewed)
- Local organizations, families seek assistance understanding DC attack (FOX St. Louis -- Karen Aroesty interviewed)
- Experts talk about implications of social media crackdown (Pittsburgh Jewish Chronicle)
ADL IN THE NEWS
- The security efforts being made to protect the presidential inauguration (60 Minutes -- Oren Segal interviewed)
- Biden Taps a War on Terror Veteran to Stop White Supremacists (Daily Beast)
- Former White Supremacists Are Helping Others Disengage from Hate Groups (The Progressive)