EXPERT TELLS U.S. LAWMAKERS TO BE ON GUARD

Lawmakers in the United States heard Thursday chilling warnings about the growing threat of domestic extremism after last month’s riots on Capitol Hill. Counterterrorism expert Elizabeth Neumann told the House committee on homeland security there’s a “high likelihood” of homegrown violence in the coming months. The committee is debating how to respond, including whether to designate certain U.S.based groups terrorist organizations. Neumann said under current U.S. law, it is easier to prosecute international terrorists than it is domestic ones. Canada added the white-supremacist Proud Boys and three other right-wing groups to its list of terrorist entities this week. That designation makes it easier for law enforcement to seize assets and seek stiffer penalties against those linked to such organizations. Neumann said the Jan. 6 riots marked the end of the post-9/11 era and launched a new, dangerous period. “There is a high likelihood of violence in the coming months on a range of softer targets,” Neumann told the committee.