The Trump administration is planning to eliminate a crucial terrorism prevention program within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), a move that former officials and experts argue could undermine efforts to thwart attacks in the U.S. The DHS budget submitted to Congress cancels the $18 million Targeted Violence and Terrorism Prevention Grant Program, claiming it “does not align with DHS priorities.” Current and former DHS officials have expressed concern, emphasizing that this modest program, which constitutes only about 4% of the military’s marching band budget, has successfully averted violent attacks, particularly those committed by “lone wolves.”
Experts point to recent incidents of violence, including attacks connected to individuals fitting specific behavioral profiles that the program aims to monitor. Bill Braniff, who oversaw the program previously, defended the need for preventive measures, relating them to standard safety practices, such as visiting a doctor or having smoke detectors. John Cohen, another former DHS counterterrorism official, highlighted that the original purpose of DHS, established post-9/11, was to better prepare the nation against terrorist threats.
Despite ProPublica’s reporting on the inexperience of Braniff’s successor, the key issue remains the proposed elimination of the program during a period marked by increasing violence from disaffected individuals. There is strong interest in the grant program, with 178 applications across 47 states for assistance that is currently limited to $18 million. This funding supports local initiatives aimed at identifying and intervening with individuals at risk of radicalization. Experts argue that cutting this program is short-sighted, particularly given the rising frequency of mass violence incidents.
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