Statement from Memorial Museum in relation to the news from the White House and DOJ on plan to combat domestic terrorism.
It is promising to see the White House and Department of Justice begin work on a national strategy for countering domestic terrorism. We know all too well that domestic terrorism is not a new threat yet still threatens Americans today.
At the Oklahoma City National Memorial & Museum, our focus continues to (as recently as the forum we held with former FBI Assistant Director Frank Figliuzzi) highlight the fact that there was and still is no law that makes domestic terrorism a federal crime. The Oklahoma City bombing in 1995 remains the largest domestic terrorism event in our country’s history.
We know from that experience the need for a statute to prosecute domestic terrorism as a federal crime. Most citizens are shocked to learn in the Museum that there is no such federal law already. The Memorial and Museum stands ready to always be an archive, clearinghouse and center for responsible discussion of this important issue. Our interest is in fostering conversation and healing that will lead to domestic peace and civility.
We hope to be a part of the discussion around this conversation and any proposed legislation by using lessons learned now more than 25 years ago in Oklahoma City. We look forward to working with the Biden Administration and the Oklahoma Congressional delegation to bring a reasonable Oklahoma viewpoint to this issue.
