US report on 'right-wing extremism' is focus of legal challenge

April 17, 2009

A pro-life legal group has filed lawsuit against Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano, seeking to block implementation of any departmental policy based on a controversial report citing the risk of "right-wing extremist groups." The Thomas More Law Center argues, in its federal lawsuit, that the report "violates the civil liberties of combat veterans as well as American citizens by targeting them for disfavored treatment on account of the political beliefs." The report has drawn criticism for saying that threats to national security could "include groups and individuals that are dedicated to a single issue, such as opposition to abortion or immigration," and saying that military veterans may become involved with "hate groups." In an April 16 television appearance, Napolitano stood by the report, but acknowledged that the references to veterans and single-issue advocates was unfortunate.

 

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Further information:

• Napolitano Offers Apology to Veterans (Washington Post)
• Napolitano is Lying to Americans About Her Department’s Rightwing Extremism Report (Thomas More Law Center)
• Obama Official: Report Should Not Have Linked Pro-Life Advocates to Terrorists, Lawsuit Filed (LifeNews)