The Department of Homeland Security has issued a warning for "Potential for Threats to Public Safety in Response to Abortion Debate," after the leaked SCOTUS documents indicating the overturning of the landmark Supreme Court case, Roe v. Wade.
For many, abortion is not just a political issue, but a moral question. The public debate on the practice has brought out the worst in some Americans, and the leaked SCOTUS document indicating the overturning of Roe v. Wade has triggered mass protests. However, the U.S. has barely scratched the surface of tensions.
On May 13th a memo circulated within DHS in regard to an uptick in threats made against, "reproductive healthcare personnel and facilities."
DHS has also confirmed they are currently looking into multiple cases of online threats that have been charged by the recent public debate on abortion.
The threats are taking place on social media, which have carried a great level of severity. One in particular even speaks to, "burning down or storming the U.S. Supreme Court and murdering Justices and their clerks, members of Congress, and lawful demonstrators."
The DHS issued the warning specifically to, "government, religious, and reproductive healthcare personnel and facilities and ideological opponents," essentially anyone the DHS has confirmed or thinks will be attacked by extreme advocates or opponents of abortion.
Since last Summer, at least four incidents occurred between ideologically opposing groups on abortion that involved non-lethal weapons such as smoke grenades, paintball guns, batons, and bats. With that being said, the Justice Department in the past has confirmed a total of 10 murders committed by, "pro-abortion violent extremists."
The Department still warns however that the SOCTUS draft opinion leak could possibly trigger violence from pro-life groups. Regardless, the DHS' Office of Intelligence and Analysis said in its bulletin that "grievances related to restricting abortion access could fuel violence by pro-choice abortion-related violent extremists and other [domestic violent extremists.]"
All being said, ideological extremism is a two-lane road and is not mutually exclusive to one side. Any party in this instance may feel emboldened enough by the violence brewing over the abortion debate.
