Counterterrorism law in US … From 9/11 to Capitol riots

Shaimaa Hefzi

The counterterrorism law stirs up major debates in the United States, being one of the most outstanding issues on the table in front of President Joe Biden.

This comes at a time the far-right steps up its action across the United States, with the latest riots inside the US Congress being the most outstanding example in this regard.

Some US officials call for the presence of a local counterterrorism law to keep the lid on attacks that target Americans.

Capitol riots and the rise of the far-right

The far-right and the backers of former US President Donald Trump were at the forefront of riots inside the Congress building on 6 January this year.

The riots were unprecedented in the 207-year-history of the Capitol.

The riots followed accusations by Trump about rigging the presidential vote. The protesters fought against the Capitol’s police guards, which led some people to describe the event as an attack against American democracy.

The far-right also took its campaign against the Congress to social media, especially before the house convened to approve the results of the presidential election. Far-right activists launched a wave of violent threats against the house and its members.

Far-right activists described the riots inside the Congress building as an attempt to rescue the United States.

Trump is accused of being a staunch backer of the far-right and that he had offered a political cover for the members of this violent movement.

In 2020, a movement that incites violence and civil war in the United States appeared. The movement also incited attacks against different American institutions.