“The federal government is gone”: Under Trump, the fight against extremists is up to the states

Dozens of individuals passed through metal detectors under the supervision of security guards to attend a town hall meeting on hate crimes and domestic terrorism at Temple Israel in Detroit this month. The synagogue was heavily guarded, with police cars in the driveway and strict entry rules. Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel spoke about the threat of extremist violence, highlighting the lack of federal cooperation in combating domestic terrorism. States are now facing the challenge of addressing hate-fueled threats without federal support, as the White House shifts its focus away from extremist violence towards other priorities.

The retreat of federal efforts against violent extremism has led to a decentralized approach to combating hate crimes at the state level. The lack of federal coordination has forced states to rely on their own resources to prevent targeted violence. Without federal guidance, state-level initiatives to address hate crimes and domestic terrorism vary in effectiveness and coverage. Despite federal officials denying any withdrawal from addressing these issues, state officials and advocates are feeling the impact of reduced federal support.

The void left by the federal government in the fight against violent extremism has prompted states to take on a more prominent role in preventing hate-fueled violence. State-level efforts to combat extremism are now crucial in the absence of federal support. The challenges of addressing hate crimes and domestic terrorism are compounded by political polarization and differing views on the severity of these threats. Despite these hurdles, state officials and advocates are working towards filling the gaps in hate crime prevention and violence intervention efforts.