"In the first news cycle, investigators may know the crude details of what happened: who fired, who died and roughly what happened. They usually do not know motive with enough confidence to declare that coercive intent - the element that separates terrorism from other serious crimes - is present. The Congressional Research Service, which provides policy analysis to Congress, makes a related point: While the term "domestic terrorism" is defined in statute, it is not itself a standalone federal offense."
"U.S. law describes the term as a specific idea: acts dangerous to human life that appear intended to intimidate civilians, pressure government policy or affect government conduct through extreme means. Intent is the hinge. From my experience managing counterterrorism analysts at the CIA and the National Counterterrorism Center, I know the terrorism label - domestic or international - is a judgment applied only after intent and context are assessed."
Federal immigration agents killed Renée Good and Alex Pretti in separate Minneapolis encounters in January 2026, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called both acts "domestic terrorism." U.S. law defines domestic terrorism as acts dangerous to human life intended to intimidate civilians, pressure policy or affect government conduct, making intent central. Early investigative details usually reveal only who fired and who died, while motive and coercive intent often remain unclear. The Congressional Research Service notes that "domestic terrorism" is a statutory definition, not a standalone federal offense. Terrorism determinations require disciplined analysis and evidence, not premature public labeling.
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