Former FBI official calls for domestic terrorism law

In the aftermath of the Jan .6 siege on the U.S. Capitol, a former FBI special agent is warning against the rise of domestic terrorism and its spread through social media channels.

Frank Fig liuzzi, who served 25 years in the FBI, including time as the bureau's assistant director for counter intelligence, said Monday at the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum that the bombing that killed 168 people here more than 25 years ago can be instructive to combating home-grown terror.

“To what extent does this place — and what it's experienced in Oklahoma City — do they play a role in helping to educate the public on the threats we face and the steps we can take collectively as a nation to prevent the next act of domestic terrorism ?” Figliuzzi said.

Author of the book, “The FBI Way: Inside the Bureau' s Code of Excellence,” Figliuzzi was welcomed by the memorial to lead an online interactive conversation at 6 p.m. Monday on domestic terrorism in the United States, with the talk available to view at MemorialMuseum. com and its Facebook and YouTube pages.

Speaking to reporters before the online talk, Figliuzzi joined the chorus of those calling for the creation of a federal domestic terrorism law that also respects freedom of thought and speech.

Current federal code defines domestic terrorism as the use of violence, intimidation or coercion against the population or a government to achieve political or social objectives.

The FBI warns that this is not a “charging statute.”

“Wed on otha veal aw that matches the gravity of consequences to the severity of the crime,” Figliuzzi said.

He pointed to charges filed against rioters at the Jan .6 siege on the U.S. Capitol, which include trespassing, theft and assault.

Asked how a law against domestic terrorism would be enforced, Figliuzzi said legislation should target actions committed.

“The question of who gets to call who ma domestic terrorist is a serious question that we need to wrestle with,” he said. “And here's my assertion: The less we have in writing and the less we attempt to codify this, the more trouble we get in and the more political we sound, and the more likely we are to abuse or exploit law enforcement efforts against certain groups for political reasons.”

Figliuzzi warned against the spread of radicalization “at the speed of pressing a send button” on social media platforms.

Kari Watkins, e xe cut ive director of the memorial, expected the scheduled online interactive discussion to be relevant to Oklahomans and people across the nation.

“We'll ask some tough questions about where we are as a country, what progress have we made and what more has yet tobe done ,” Watkins said.