Federal Terrorism Probes Skyrocket
In the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing, many domestic antigovernment groups are under investigation for plans of violence and terrorism.
Many experts thought the horror of the Oklahoma City bombing would drive people from the terrorist wing of the antigovernment movement. In fact, just the opposite has happened. In addition to the many planned bombings and other attacks foiled in the last three years, hundreds of others are currently under investigation.
According to the Dec. 29 U.S. News & World Report, the FBI has more than 900 active investigations into domestic terrorism, including 10 high-priority cases involving penetration of antigovernment groups.
Before the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing that left 168 people dead, the bureau was working just 100 such cases.
The FBI's counter-terrorism budget has nearly tripled since 1994, and the bureau has added 350 new domestic terrorism agents.
"Another Oklahoma City could happen tomorrow," Robert Blitzer, head of the FBI's terrorism section, told the magazine. "There are still a lot of people out there with a lot of potential for violence."
