Judicial Watch: FBI Documents Share Vague Warnings of Increase in Threats after Unprecedented FBI Raid on Mar-a-Lago

(Washington, DC) – Judicial Watch announced today it received 8 pages of records from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) in a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit which show the DHS and FBI warning law enforcement agencies should be prepared for a surge in threats from so-called Domestic Violence Extremists (DVEs) following the August 8, 2022, FBI raid on former President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Palm Beach, Florida.

The records were obtained through an October 2022 lawsuit filed after the Department of Homeland Security failed to comply with an August 2022, FOIA request (Judicial Watch Inc. v U.S. Department of Homeland Security (1:22-cv-03275)). Judicial Watch asked for:

All records of communication between any official or employee of the U.S. Secret Service and any official or employee of the Federal Bureau of Investigation regarding the execution of a search warrant at the residence of President Trump on August 8, 2022.

A widely distributed August 13, 2022, email, from which the sender and recipients’ names are redacted, was sent to officials in FBI, ATF (Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives), BOP (Federal Bureau of Prisons), FDA (Food and Drug Administration), State Department, and numerous other agencies, with the subject “Recent Violent Threats Against Law Enforcement” stating:

Colleagues, I wanted to provide you an update on the FBI’s response to the heightened threats against law enforcement following the FBI’s recent investigation actions in Palm Beach, Florida. Attached is a Joint Intelligence Bulletin that provides information on the potential threats posed by domestic violent extremists following this event.

To date we have received [redacted]. I wanted to thank all of you for your continued partnership and support of the Miami Field Office. [Redacted]. The safety and wellness of employees is my paramount concern. Let me assure you that FBI Miami will continue to work with your agencies to identify and monitor threats against law enforcement and will continue to communicate updated information as it becomes available.

If you have any questions, I encourage you to contact our counterterrorism ASAC [Assistant Special Agent in Charge] [redacted].

The message is signed by Special Agent in Charge Robert DeWitt.

A document titled “Joint Intelligence Bulletin,” dated August 12, 2022, is attached in DeWitt’s email. The opening paragraph states:

This Joint Intelligence Bulletin is intended to provide information on the potential for domestic violent extremists to carry out attacks on federal, state, and local law enforcement and government personnel or facilities. This Bulletin is being shared in light of an increase in threats and aces of violence, including armed encounters, against law enforcement, judiciary, and government personnel, in reaction to the FBI’s recent execution of a court-authorized search warrant in Palm Beach, Florida. It is intended to support the activities of the FBI and DHS and assist federal, state, local, tribal. and territorial government; counterterrorism, law enforcement, and court officials; first responders; and private sector security partners in effectively deterring, preventing, preempting, or responding to terrorist attacks against the United States.

An ”Overview” section of the bulletin states:

The FBI and DHS have observed an increase in threats to federal law enforcement and, to a lesser extent, other law enforcement and government officials following the FBI’s recent execution of a search warrant in Palm Beach, Florida. These threats are occurring [redacted]. The FBI and DHS would like to ensure that law enforcement, court, and government personnel are aware of the range of threats and criminal and violent incidents….

The FBI and DHS are aware of an increase in recent threats and calls for violence against federal law enforcement, US Government, and judicial personnel in reaction to the FBI’s execution of a search warrant in Palm Beach, Florida on 8 August 2022. These developments highlight the heightened threat since 2020 by domestic violent extremists (DVEs) motivated by a range of ideologies, who have grievances against a variety of targets including law enforcement.

A footnote in the report defining “Domestic Violent Extremism” notes: “The mere advocacy of political or social positions, political activism, use of strong rhetoric, or generalized philosophic embrace of violent tactics may not constitute extremism and may be constitutionally protected.”

Further along the report cites one of the purported threats, noting:

On 11 August 2022, Ricky Shiffer, Jr. [redacted] attempted to forcibly enter the FBI’s Cincinnati’s Field Office. When uniformed officers responded to Shiffer’s attempt to break a glass barrier, he fled the scene. A pursuit ensued, and Shiffer entered a standoff with FBI and law enforcement officers after firing multiple shots at responding officers from the Ohio State Highway Patrol (OSHP), with FBI SWAT support, attempted to arrest Shiffer, resulting in his death.

A section of the report titled “Outlook” states:

In recent years, DVEs adhering to different violent extremist ideologies have coalesced around perceptions of government overreach and election fraud to threaten and conduct violence. As a result of recent activities, we assess that potential targets of DVE violence moving forward could include [redacted]. The threats we have observed to date, underscore that DVEs may view the 2022 elections as an additional flashpoint around which to escalate threats against perceived ideological opponents, including federal law enforcement personnel.

A subsection titled “Past Behaviors Associated with Radicalization and Mobilization to Violence” notes:

A body of court documents and press reporting reveals several observable behaviors that may indicate radicalization and mobilization to violence by DVEs. It is important to emphasize that many of the mobilization indicators may also relate to constitutionally protected activities. It is important to look critically and contextually at the specific actions of the individual and their intent. Law enforcement action should never be taken solely based on constitutionally protected activities; on the apparent or actual race, age, ethnicity, national origin, religion, gender, sexual orientation, or gender identity of the subject; or any combination of these factors. Individuals are encouraged to contact law enforcement if-based on these indicators and the situational context·-·they suspect an individual is mobilizing to violence or engaging in violent extremist activities.

Some of the examples of such activities they include are:

• Unusual purchase of military-style tactical equipment (for example, body armor or personal protective equipment) in a manner that raises suspicion of planning violence;”
• Communicating directly with, or seeking to develop a relationship with violent extremists – or being contacted directly by them – for suspected criminal purposes;”
• Unusual acquisition of weapons or ammunition for suspected criminal purposes;”
• Unusual change in, or initiation of, physical or weapons training for suspected criminal purposes;”
• Producing, promoting, or extensively consuming violent extremist content online or in person, including violent extremist videos, narratives, media, and messaging for suspected criminal purposes;”
• Expressing acceptance of violence as a necessary means to achieve ideological goals (for example, communicating a desire for revenge against ideological opponents) and saying that nonviolent means are ineffective or unavailable;”
• Increasing or extreme adherence to conspiracy theories as justification of violence against ideological targets;”
• Attempting to radicalize others – especially family members and peers- to violence.”

“The FBI raid on President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago home was an incredible abuse of power based on false allegations. The raid was followed by the FBI distracting the public with a politicized document slyly tying President Trump and other critics to threats over this abuse,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “I don’t trust the FBI.”

Judicial Watch is in the forefront of the court battles for transparency regarding the Biden-Harris administration’s targeting of former President Trump and conservatives.

Judicial Watch recently sued the Defense Department for details of Army training materials that designate pro-life organizations or individuals as “terrorists.”

In May 2024, Judicial Watch uncovered a recording of a phone message left by an FBI special agent for someone at the Secret Service in the context of the raid on President Trump’s home in Mar-a-Lago, Florida.

In March 2024, Judicial Watch sued the U.S. Department of Energy for records about the retroactive termination of former President Donald Trump’s security clearance and/or access to classified information.

In August 2023, Judicial Watch filed a lawsuit against the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA) for records of the Archives’ role in President Trump’s White House records controversy; whether it offered Trump a secure storage location other than the National Archives; and if the Archives consulted with the Office of the Director of National Intelligence regarding the classification or declassification procedures of any of the alleged classified documents found at Trump’s Florida residence.

In June 2023, Judicial Watch obtained DOJ records that showed top officials of the National Security Division discussing the political implications of Trump allowing CNN to use closed-circuit TV (CCTV) footage of the raid on his Mar-a-Lago home. The documents confirmed that the Justice Department had asked that Mar-a-Lago CCTV be turned off before the raid.

A separate Judicial Watch FOIA lawsuit against the National Archives and Records Administration resulted in the release of records about the unprecedented document dispute between Archives and President Trump. Click here or here to review the records.

In August 2022, Judicial Watch successfully sued to unseal the search warrant affidavit used to justify the unprecedented raid on the home of former President Trump.

In September 2022, Judicial Watch filed lawsuits against the DOJ for its records and the FBI’s records.

###