Trump’s New Counterterrorism Strategy and the Spectre of Left-Wing Violence
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This episode of 'It Could Happen Here' dissects the newly released 2026 White House counterterrorism strategy under President Donald Trump, revealing a document that redefines terrorism to include left-wing extremism as a primary domestic threat. Host Garrison Davis critiques the strategy's political weaponization, highlighting its one-sentence inclusion of left-wing violence—centered on the assassination of Charlie Kirk—while ignoring the overwhelming data on racially motivated and anti-government extremism. The strategy, authored by far-right figure Sebastian Gorka, prioritizes the neutralization of cartels, Islamist terror groups like ISIS-K and al-Qaeda, and the alleged 'red-green alliance' between left-wing and Islamist movements. Davis exposes the document's lack of strategic depth, its reliance on outdated frameworks, and its role in justifying aggressive military actions abroad, including regime change in Venezuela and ongoing warfare in Iran. Despite claims of non-partisanship, the strategy openly targets ideological opponents, particularly those aligned with anti-fascist or anarchist movements, while erasing the most lethal domestic threats—white supremacist violence—entirely from its analysis.
The Trump administration's 2026 counterterrorism strategy redefines terrorism to include left-wing extremism, despite minimal evidence of such violence.
The document completely omits racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism—the most lethal domestic threat—while amplifying politically charged narratives.
The strategy serves as a justification for ongoing military interventions, including strikes on cartel boats and regime change in Venezuela and Iran.
Designating cartels as foreign terrorist organizations allows for expanded surveillance, sanctions, and military action under the guise of counterterrorism.
The document lacks real strategy, relying on vague promises of 'high-intensity short campaigns' and ideological targeting rather than actionable plans.
…and 3 more takeaways available in PodZeus
Podcast Promos and Introduction
The episode begins with a series of iHeartRadio podcast promos for shows like Hurdle, Kingdom of Fraud, Humor Me, and Cultivating Her Space, before transitioning into the main topic with host Garrison Davis introducing the new Trump administration counterterrorism strategy.
Trump’s Presidential Foreword and the Rise of Left-Wing Terrorism
“This is the only example of quote-unquote left-wing violence included in this entire document. Just this. Just this one killing.”
Comparing Biden’s and Trump’s Domestic Terrorism Strategies
“The racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists were most likely to conduct civilian mass casualty attacks. While militia types were more likely to target law enforcement or government apparatus.”
Weaponization of Intelligence and Political Overreach
“This is where Marjorie Taylor Greene was posting about defunding the FBI. A lot of the dismantle FBI stuff coming from the right was based on this incident.”
The Real Purpose: Justifying Global Military Action
“This document doesn't introduce anything new. Now, overall, what this strategy tries to do is connect all of the ideological targets of this administration, right? Put them onto a map intersecting each other.”
“The strategy’s primary function is not counterterrorism but legitimizing U.S. military dominance in the Western Hemisphere.”
“The strategy claims, quote, our counterterrorism powers will not be used to target our fellow Americans who simply disagree with us. We will not permit the weaponization of America's unparalleled counterterrorism capabilities for partisan purposes, unquote.”
“This document doesn't introduce anything new. Now, overall, what this strategy tries to do is connect all of the ideological targets of this administration, right? Put them onto a map intersecting each other.”
Host
Donald Trump
person
FBI
organization
Sebastian Gorka
person
Antifa
organization
Biden Administration
organization
Iran
place
National Security Presidential Memorandum 7
other
Charlie Kirk
person
Venezuela
place
Traditionalist Catholicism
other
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