Thirty years after the Oklahoma City bombing carried out by a former Army soldier, experts state that military service remains a strong predictor of involvement in violent extremism. Despite efforts to combat extremism in the armed forces, recent events have shown a lack of progress in identifying and removing extremists from military ranks.
The Department of Defense, under the leadership of Pete Hegseth, has faced criticism for downplaying the connection between military service and domestic extremism. Programs aimed at training personnel to recognize and prevent extremist ideologies have been targeted for cuts by the Trump administration, further hampering efforts to address the issue.
The failure to address domestic extremism within the military has raised concerns about the potential for another attack like the Oklahoma City bombing. Veterans and service members facing economic turmoil and disenchantment with the government due to policies implemented by Trump and Elon Musk may be at an increased risk of radicalization and extremist actions.
Despite warnings from experts about the potential for violence, the dismantling of programs designed to prevent domestic terrorism and the dismissal of former soldiers from federal positions have left the country vulnerable to further acts of extremism. The lack of action by the government in addressing this threat poses a significant risk to national security.
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