Is Trump Moving To Focus Counter-Terrorism Solely On Islamists?

As San Fransisco looks to do away with cooperating with the FBI on counter terrorism programs, ones which were fine during the Obama years (oh, and let’s not forget the rioting, arson, and violence because someone wanted to speak), the Trump administration is supposedly going a different direction, per Reuters

Exclusive: Trump to focus counter-extremism program solely on Islam – sources

The Trump administration wants to revamp and rename a U.S. government program designed to counter all violent ideologies so that it focuses solely on Islamist extremism, five people briefed on the matter told Reuters.

The program, “Countering Violent Extremism,” or CVE, would be changed to “Countering Islamic Extremism” or “Countering Radical Islamic Extremism,” the sources said, and would no longer target groups such as white supremacists who have also carried out bombings and shootings in the United States.

Such a change would reflect Trump’s election campaign rhetoric and criticism of former President Barack Obama for being weak in the fight against Islamic State and for refusing to use the phrase “radical Islam” in describing it. Islamic State has claimed responsibility for attacks on civilians in several countries.

I actually disagree with this a little. The focus shouldn’t be solely on radical Islam, because there are other domestic threats from non-Islamist groups and individuals, including both left and right leaning groups. But, mostly leftists. That said, we have federal and state governmental units that handle the non-Islamist groups, so, perhaps there needs to be a strong focus on radical Islam. As more and more are radicalized via the Internet, in mosques and Islamic schools, their friends, etc, those some people can easily jump into violent attacks.

It’s also long past due to name the danger. The Trump administration should go to great pains to note that there is a difference between Muslims and Islamists, much as most anti-jihad bloggers have done. Try and separate the two, making sure people understand that the extremists are the issue.