How did we get here?

In this step, Daryl Johnson, a former Department of Homeland Security analyst, explains the evolution of extremism in the United States from his interdisciplinary background of working in the military, law enforcement, intelligence, and private consulting. Daryl talks about the incidences of Ruby Ridge and Waco, and how that catalyzed the Oklahoma City bombing in 1995. He then goes on to make a case for why 2008 was a turning point for domestic terrorism recruitment in the United States, citing the housing crisis and financial collapse, along with the historical election of first African American U.S. President with Barack Obama. Daryl finally talks about an internal report that he authored as an analyst at the Department of Homeland Security in 2009 and how his efforts to raise the alarm about domestic terrorism in the U.S. were largely stifled.

Is the conversation around extremism being politicized? Is there a way to talk about extremism without politicizing it?