President-elect Joe Biden’s nominee to be Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines speaks at his transition headquarters in the Queen Theater in Wilmington, Delaware, November 24, 2020.
Joshua Roberts | Reuters
President Joe Biden asked his intelligence chief to launch a “comprehensive threat assessment” into domestic terrorism in the wake of the deadly Capitol riots, White House press secretary Jen Psaki said Friday.
The invasion of the Capitol by supporters of former President Donald Trump “underscored what we have long known: The rise of domestic violent extremism is a serious and growing national security threat,” Psaki said at a press briefing.
Biden asked the Office of the Director of National Intelligence, led by his newly Senate-confirmed pick Avril Haines, to coordinate with the FBI and the Homeland Security Department to gather fact-based analysis from across the government on domestic violent extremism, Psaki said.
A man calls on people to raid the building as Trump supporters clash with police and security forces as they try to storm the US Capitol building in Washington, DC on January 6, 2021.
Joseph Prezioso | AFP | Getty Images
The Biden administration is “committed to developing policies and strategies” based on that analysis, bearing in mind “our respect for constitutionally respected free speech and political activities,” she said.
“This is the first step in the process,” she noted.
The administration is also working to boost the National Security Council’s ability to counter domestic extremism, Psaki said, adding that other parts of the government will coordinate to “enhance and accelerate” efforts to address those threats.
The White House did not immediately respond to CNBC’s request for additional information.
This is developing news. Please check back for updates.
