CNN also reported on Tuesday that the Army is taking additional steps to track down the National Guard contingent that is providing security in Biden’s possession over extremism.
“We at the Department of Defense are doing everything we can to eliminate extremism in the Department of Defense,” said Garry Reid, director of defense intelligence. “DoD policy expressly prohibits military personnel from actively defending doctrine, ideology or the cause of supremacy, extremists or criminals.”
Extremist groups, including white supremacists, value the recruitment of current and former members of the Army, said a defense official, as they try to bring extremist members of their group into the armed forces. The groups want the military’s experience and expertise.
“We know that some groups try to actively recruit our people for their cause or, in fact, encourage their members to join the army in order to gain skills and experience,” said the senior defense officer. “We recognize that these skills are valued by some of these groups not only for the ability that they offer them, but also give them legitimacy in their minds because of them.”
Increasing beliefs of white supremacy
The Department of Defense noted an increase in white supremacist beliefs among active-duty and veteran members, said a senior defense officer, partly because of the growing prevalence of these beliefs in the country, but also because of increased efforts to find and track extremism within the ranks.
“We clearly recognize the threat from domestic extremists, particularly those who advocate white supremacy or white nationalist ideologies,” said the official.
“We cannot allow these things to rot within organizations and become OK. When that happens, your report will suffer. Therefore, our emphasis on all categories is that everything is not going well, ”added the official.
Officials were unable to immediately provide data on the number of military personnel facing disciplinary action for supporting extremist beliefs or how many military candidates are excluded because of a connection to extremism.
The Department of Defense is also reviewing its current policies, laws and regulations regarding extremism to better prohibit and prevent the military from associating with extremist ideologies. A report is due in late March. The review started before the January 6 invasion of the Capitol.
The Defense Department’s attorney general is also working on drafting legislation that would update the Uniform Code of Military Justice to deal with extremism and extremist activities within the armed forces.