The Power of Threats: Language, Violent Extremist Networks, and Political Violence

Session Submission Type: Complete Thematic Panel

Abstract/Description

The current panel, hosted by the National Counterterrorism, Innovation, Technology, and Education (NCITE) Center of Excellence for the Department of Homeland Security, explores the role of threats, language, and extremist networks in shaping political violence, public safety, and radicalization. The first presentation examines threats as a coercive strategy in terrorism and political violence, highlighting how coded language and repeated intimidation create reasonable fear among election officials. The second presentation bridges criminology and radicalization studies by analyzing federal cases of threats against public officials, revealing significant prosecutorial disparities. The third presentation investigates online communications between incarcerated white supremacists and their supporters, shedding light on digital radicalization and its implications for correctional policies. The fourth presentation examines the relationship between extreme conspiratorial beliefs and violent extremist behaviors through a first-of-its-kind longitudinal study, identifying risk and protective factors over time. Collectively, these studies provide critical insights into how threats—both verbal and ideological—drive extremist activity and impact legal and policy responses.

Sub Unit

• Area III. Types of Offending / 22. State Crime, Political Crime, and Terrorism

Individual Presentations

• Weaponized Words: True Threats and the Limits of Protection - Steven Windisch, University of Arkansas; Alma June Harrison, University of Arkansas

• When Words are a Crime - Pete Simi, Chapman University; Chris Bader, Chapman University; Seamus Hughes, University of Nebraska Omaha / NCITE

• “Support Our POWs”: An Online Forum for White Supremacists behind Bars - Isaac Moelter, University of Nebraska Omaha / NCITE

• Examining Change in Conspiracy Beliefs and Violent Extremism over Time - Bettina Rottweiler, University of Nebraska Omaha / NCITE; Paul Gill, University College London

Chair

• Pete Simi, Chapman University

Discussant

• Erin M. Kearns, University of Nebraska Omaha / NCITE

Organized by a Division or external group?

Sponsored by NCITE & the Division on Terrorism & Bias Crimes