A recently declassified federal document is raising new questions about how the United States prioritizes domestic security threats. The Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) for Countering Domestic Terrorism, developed under the Biden administration in June 2021, was released in April 2025 by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. It reveals a federal push to monitor and disrupt what it defines as the most serious domestic threats—especially white nationalist extremists, gun owners, and military veterans.
Editor’s Note: The Strategic Implementation Plan (SIP) for Countering Domestic Terrorism was originally posted to the ODNI website and linked directly in an official announcement by Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard on April 5, 2025. However, as of mid-May, all known links to the document — including the one on Gabbard’s own X (formerly Twitter) page — now lead to 404 “Page Not Found” errors. FYIVT reviewed a copy of the SIP prior to its removal and references both the original content and supporting analysis published by America First Legal.
The 15-page SIP lays out a multi-agency strategy involving the Department of Justice, FBI, DHS, and even mental health providers and military institutions, to proactively flag “behavioral indicators” and engage in early intervention strategies. Its stated goal: to prevent radicalization and domestic terrorism before violence occurs.
The plan recommends the use of extreme risk protection orders (ERPOs)—also known as red flag laws—alongside policies such as banning assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, expanding mental health surveillance, and implementing specialized training targeted at military personnel transitioning to civilian life.
Still Active, But Under New Scrutiny
As of spring 2025, the SIP remains in effect. A recent Government Accountability Office (GAO) review found that 49 of the 58 action items in the SIP have been implemented by federal agencies. However, the report criticized the plan’s lack of clear oversight responsibilities, timelines, and performance metrics—raising concerns about its long-term viability and effectiveness.
Director Gabbard, who took office earlier this year, declassified the SIP in a bid to increase transparency around domestic security operations. Since assuming the role, she has signaled a broader shift in priorities, citing fentanyl trafficking, transnational gangs, and cartels as top-tier national security threats. While the SIP remains on the books, Gabbard’s posture marks a strategic pivot away from a narrow ideological focus.
A Question of Focus
The SIP emphasizes threats from RMVE (Racially or Ethnically Motivated Violent Extremism)—typically used to describe white supremacist ideology—but omits any mention of gangs, cartels, or organized criminal syndicates. Critics argue this focus fails to reflect the realities of violent crime in America.
According to the National Gang Center, an average of 2,000 gang-related homicides occur in the U.S. each year. The DEA’s 2024 threat assessment highlights the role of Mexican drug cartels and affiliated gangs in drug trafficking, extortion, and human smuggling across the country. Groups like MS-13 and Tren de Aragua, et al., have been linked to hundreds of violent incidents, including activity in U.S. cities and along the southern border.
In contrast, terrorism data from the University of Maryland’s START project and the Global Terrorism Database indicate that while white nationalist incidents do occur, they represent a relatively small fraction of America’s total violent crime. A PolitiFact chart often cited in federal hearings showed that 74% of extremist “attacks” between 2001 and 2016 were committed by far-right actors, but the most lethal events—such as the Orlando Pulse nightclub and San Bernardino shootings—were carried out by jihadist extremists.
Critics say this statistical framing distorts the conversation. “Counting every non-lethal threat or vandalism incident as an ‘attack’ while ignoring gang shootings and fentanyl overdoses doesn’t make the public safer—it just makes Washington feel more in control,” one analyst said.
Vermont’s Congressional Role
Vermont’s congressional delegation has supported much of the federal framework underpinning the SIP. Senators Bernie Sanders and Peter Welch both voted in favor of the Domestic Terrorism Prevention Act of 2022, which created permanent offices within the FBI, DOJ, and DHS to address domestic extremism. Representative Becca Balint, elected in 2022, has also voiced strong support for anti-extremism and gun control efforts.
However, none have made gang violence, cartel infiltration, or border-related criminal activity a legislative priority. Despite growing concerns about fentanyl trafficking and its spillover into Vermont communities, no member of the delegation has proposed significant legislation to address the problem at its organized source.
Local and National Implications
In Vermont, where violent crime remains low but drug-related cases are rising, the SIP’s relevance lies in its potential use against lawful gun owners or military veterans, rather than violent street gangs. Civil liberties advocates worry that such frameworks, left unchecked, could be used to profile citizens based on beliefs, associations, or online speech.
Director Gabbard’s decision to declassify the SIP has reignited the public debate. While the document technically remains in force, the lack of oversight clarity and shifting priorities may lead to its gradual phasing out or substantial revision.
For now, the Biden-era domestic terrorism strategy lives on, even as Washington’s definition of national security continues to evolve.
Dave Soulia | FYIVT
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