DOJ Faces Scrutiny Over Removal of Domestic Terrorism Study Amidst Political Rhetoric

The U.S. Justice Department has come under fire following the removal of a comprehensive study from its website that concluded far-right extremists are responsible for significantly more fatalities in the United States than any other domestic terror group. The report, titled "What National Institute of Justice Research Tells Us About Domestic Terrorism," was reportedly archived from the DOJ's website between September 11 and 12, 2025. This action occurred shortly after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk on September 10 at Utah Valley University.

The now-archived study, based on three decades of research, was one of the most extensive government assessments of domestic terrorism patterns. It explicitly found that "militant, nationalistic, white supremacist violent extremism has increased in the United States" and that "the number of far-right attacks continues to outpace all other types of terrorism and domestic violent extremism." Its removal has raised questions about the timing and motivation behind the decision.

The removal of the study coincided with heightened political tensions following Kirk's death, which President Donald Trump and other administration officials have attributed to the "radical left." President Trump stated that "the radical left causes tremendous violence" and that they "seem to do it in a bigger way" than groups on the right. This rhetoric contrasts sharply with the findings of the removed DOJ study.

Independent investigative reporter Jason Paladino first highlighted the study's removal. The Department of Justice has since replaced the page with a notice indicating that the Office of Justice Programs is reviewing its websites and materials in accordance with recent Executive Orders, causing some pages and publications to be temporarily unavailable. Critics argue this explanation is insufficient given the report's sensitive findings and the political climate.

The incident underscores ongoing debates about political violence in the U.S. and the government's approach to identifying and addressing domestic terrorism threats. The study's findings, which pointed to a disproportionate threat from right-wing extremism, stand in direct opposition to the administration's public statements regarding the sources of political violence.