Republicans on the House Homeland Security Committee have requested documents from several social media platforms regarding their handling of extremist content following the assassination of Turning Point USA co-founder and conservative leader Charlie Kirk.
House Homeland Security Chair Rep. Andrew Garbarino, R-N.Y., and Rep. August Pfluger, R-Texas, head of the Subcommittee on Counterterrorism and Intelligence, sent letters to top executives at Discord, GitHub, Reddit, and Twitch on Monday, requesting information about how the social platforms monitor extremist content and disseminate information for law enforcement.
"The assassination of Mr. Charlie Kirk serves as a sobering reminder of the escalating threats facing our nation from violent extremists. These heinous and senseless acts of violence further expose the challenging and sometimes dangerous nature of online platforms that serve to foment extremism, leading to deadly real-world consequences," the letter begins.
Kirk was assassinated at an event at Utah Valley University in Orem on Sept. 10. Police have identified 22-year-old Tyler Robinson in the slaying, and he is currently being held without bail in the Utah County Jail. Prosecutors filed an aggravated murder charge on Tuesday against Robinson and will seek the death penalty.
"In furtherance of our ongoing investigation into domestic terrorism cases, the committee is investigating how specific bad actors may use online platforms to facilitate radicalization, disseminate extremist content, and aid in individuals' planning efforts to conduct violent attacks within the United States," the lawmakers continued.
The congressmen noted that extremists are using secure communication and anonymous cloud storage to avoid law enforcement.
"Beyond evading detection, these platforms can serve as crucial tools for global coordination, propaganda dissemination, and financing," Garbarino and Pfluger said. "This evolving threat underscores the importance of timely intervention and highlights the vital role digital platforms play in safeguarding national security."
Just a week before, Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., invited executives from Discord, Reddit, Twitch, and Steam to testify before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee regarding "the radicalization of online forum users, including instances of open incitement to commit politically motivated acts."
James Morley III ✉
James Morley III is a writer with more than two decades of experience in entertainment, travel, technology, and science and nature.
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