The US department of justice (DOJ) announced criminal charges against two alleged leaders of a white supremacist group, theTerrorgramCollective, accusing them of inciting attacks against Black, Jewish, LGBTQ people, and immigrants to provoke a race war.Dallas Humber, 34, andMatthew Allison, 37, were arrested on Friday and face a 15-count indictment for soliciting hate crimes, the murder of federal officials, and providing material support to terrorists.According to the indictment unsealed in Sacramento, California, the Terrorgram Collective operated on the social media platform Telegram, where they encouraged white supremacist violence and sought to destabilize the US by targeting government officials and critical infrastructure. “Today’s arrests are a warning that committing hate-fueled crimes in the darkest corners of the internet will not hide you,” said Attorney General Merrick Garland. “We will hold you accountable.”The group’s ideology, known as white supremacist accelerationism, promotes the belief that societal collapse is necessary to establish a white ethnostate. The indictment alleges that Humber and Allison led the group in producing propaganda videos and publications promoting violent actions, including bias-motivated attacks and terrorist attacks on government infrastructure.What were they planning?Dallas Humber and MatthewAllison, leaders of the Terrorgram Collective, meticulously planned a series of violent acts to advance their white supremacist ideology. They aimed to incite a race war and destabilize the US by targeting government infrastructure and high-profile officials. Their strategy involved detailed instructions on how to execute attacks on federal buildings, energy facilities, and individuals deemed “high-value targets” based on race, religion, or other identifiers. By using the Telegram platform, they disseminated propaganda, created hit lists, and guided followers on carrying out bias-motivated and terrorist attacks.”Attacks on “high-value targets” — like politicians and government officials — whose murders Terrorgram believes would sow chaos and further accelerate the government’s downfall,” the DOJ said.’Inspired attacks across the world’The Terrorgram Collective’s influence extended far beyond the US, inspiring violent acts around the world. Their propaganda and guidance led to real-world attacks, including a deadly shooting outside an LGBT bar in Slovakia, a planned assault on energy facilities in New Jersey, and a stabbing near a mosque in Turkey. These incidents underscore the group’s ability to incite violence globally, demonstrating how extremist ideologies can motivate and direct individuals to commit acts of terror and hatred across international borders. The widespread impact of their actions highlights the urgent need for global cooperation in combating such extremist threats.Facing serious chargesThe charges against Humber and Allison include conspiracy, soliciting hate crimes, soliciting the murder of federal officials, doxing, threatening communications, and distributing bomb-making instructions. If convicted, they each face a maximum penalty of 220 years in prison. Assistant Attorney General Kristen Clarke reiterated the federal government’s resolve to combat hate crimes, especially as extremist groups increasingly turn to online platforms. “The Justice Department is committed to protecting the civil rights of all Americans,” she said.The case remains under investigation by the FBI’s Sacramento and Salt Lake City offices, with support from multiple law enforcement agencies. The DOJ’s Civil Rights and National Security Divisions are leading the prosecution.
DOJ charges white supremacist leaders with trying to incite race war targeting LGBTQ and immigrants. What were they planning?
