What’s Going on in the U.S. Military? EXTREMISM Rising

Recent violent incidents involving military veterans with extremist links have raised alarm about the growing threat of extremism within the U.S. Military.

At a Glance

  • Two recent attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas involved individuals with military backgrounds
  • An Associated Press investigation found a rise in radicalization among veterans and active duty service members
  • Far-right, anti-government, and white supremacist ideologies are more prevalent among military extremists than jihadist ideologies
  • Efforts to address extremism in the military face political opposition, particularly from Republicans in Congress
  • The Pentagon’s study on extremism in the military relied on outdated data and misleading analyses

Recent Attacks Highlight Concerns

On New Year’s Day 2025, two separate attacks involving individuals with military backgrounds shocked the nation. In New Orleans, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran, carried out a terrorist attack inspired by the Islamic State, resulting in 14 deaths and numerous injuries. The same day in Las Vegas, Matthew Livelsberger, an active duty U.S. Army Special Forces member, died in a suicide explosion that injured seven people.

These incidents have brought renewed attention to the issue of extremism within the U.S. military. An Associated Press investigation found a disturbing trend of radicalization among veterans and active duty service members, with hundreds arrested for extremist crimes since 2017. The investigation also revealed that extremist plots involving military personnel have resulted in nearly 100 casualties during the same period.

Pentagon’s Response and Challenges

The Pentagon has acknowledged the seriousness of the situation. In a statement, the Department of Defense said it is “committed to understanding the root causes of extremism and ensuring such behavior is promptly and appropriately addressed and reported to the proper authorities.”

“As far as I know, there was never any implementation of our policies,” said veteran activist Bishop Garrison.

However, efforts to address the issue have faced significant challenges. A Pentagon-funded study on extremism in the military has been criticized for relying on outdated data and misleading analyses. Furthermore, political opposition, particularly from Republicans in Congress, has hindered the implementation of some anti-extremism measures.

Political Debates and Controversies

The issue of extremism in the military has become entangled in broader political debates. Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for Defense Secretary, has been at the center of controversy due to his views on extremism. Hegseth has labeled anti-extremist efforts as a “sham,” accusing them of unfairly targeting Trump supporters.

On the other side of the aisle, Senator Elizabeth Warren has raised concerns about Hegseth’s potential connections to extremist groups. The political divide has complicated efforts to address the issue effectively, with some arguing that the focus on far-right extremism ignores other threats, such as those inspired by jihadist ideologies.