Leading the Conversation
NCITE experts regularly weigh in on important topics in national, state, and local media.
April
"US Revealed As 'Hotspot for Cybercrime' in Global Study"
April 10, 2024 | Newsweek
Thomas Holt, NCITE researcher and professor in the School of Criminal Justice at Michigan State University, was quoted in an article about the high number of cybercrimes in the United States. "The U.S. is likely a hotspot for cybercrime for a variety of factors ... One issue is the limited policing of certain forms of cybercrime. Computer hacking activities are often difficult for local agencies to investigate, and so it falls to state or federal agencies," he said.
"As the FBI is attacked again, criminal threat cases continue to spike"
April 5, 2024 | USA Today
Gina Ligon, NCITE director, spoke about NCITE's research into threats to public officials after a man drove his car into a barrier at the Atlanta FBI field office. She said, "Unfortunately, we’re on pace for another record-setting year in threats against public officials ... We’re seeing both an increase in violent talk and a laser focus by federal prosecutors to take on these types of cases.”
"Florida man sentenced to prison for threatening to kill Supreme Court justice"
April 2, 2024 | The Hill
NCITE research into the number of threats against public officials was cited in an article about a man who made two threatening voicemails to U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice John Roberts in 2023.
March
"Oklahoma city commissioner faces recall election over ties to white nationalism"
March 29, 2024 | PBS News Hour
Pete Simi, NCITE researcher and professor at Chapman University, was quoted in an article about a group trying to oust an Oklahoma city commissioner who allagedly had relationships with white nationalist groups and admitted to attending the 2017 Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville. Simi said, "The danger of having white supremacists holding local office is that this is part of their agenda in terms of them being able to implement, execute various strategies, various plans as it relates to them wanting to create a white ethnostate, for example, which is obviously a larger plan on the horizon for them."
"'They've never stopped thinking about us': NCITE breaks down ISIS-K terror attack in Russia"
March 26, 2024 | KETV7
Gina Ligon, NCITE director, offered insight into an attack at a concert venue in Russia that killed 130 people. "ISIS really wants to show that they are still a global force. And so, this is something that ISIS likes to do is to be able to attack people in their home countries," she said.
"Airman Accused of Sharing Classified Info With Boogaloo Buddies"
March 20, 2024 | The Daily Beast
Seamus Hughes, NCITE senior research faculty and policy associate, was interviewed for a story about a U.S. Air Force intelligence analyst who is accused of sharing classified info with the Boogaloo Bois. “Dozens of Americans have been arrested in the last few years trying to advance the Boogaloo ideology through violence ... Adherents long for a second civil war and to sow chaos in America. A military member should be nowhere near that ideology,” Hughes said.
"3rd man admits to firebombing O.C. Planned Parenthood in politically motivated attack"
March 3, 2024 | KTLA
Seamus Hughes, NCITE senior research faculty and policy associate, was credited for listing charges against two individuals who pleaded guilty to firebombing a Planned Parenthood in 2022 and planning a series of other attacks, meant to accelerate the beginning of a race war.
"Nebraska lawmakers: Why do election workers need more legal protection"
March 1, 2024 | USA Today
Gina Ligon, NCITE director, was quoted in an article about a Nebraska bill that would increase penalties for harassing election workers. Ligon spoke in favor of the legislation, describing NCITE's research into the increasing number of threats against election workers. “The bar for federal prosecutions is far too high, and our figure does not capture where most reporting starts, which is local,” she said.
February
"Proposals on AI regulation, Election worker safety may be stalled in Nebraska committee"
Feb. 28, 2024 | Nebraska Examiner
Gina Ligon, NCITE director, was quoted in an article about two bills that were introduced to the Nebraska legislature this year: One that would increase penalties for crimes against election workers in Nebraska and another that would regulate the use of AI in advertisements. Ligon commented on the bill about election workers.
"Duke University's David Schanzer on the state of democracy, how U.S. allies view the '24 election"
Feb. 26, 2024 | News From the States
David Schanzer, NCITE researcher and professor at Duke University, was interviewed for an article about the 2024 presidential election, saying that the increasing mainstream support for Russia and authoritarianism is concerning.
"Civic Nebraska hosts AI and Democracy summit at UNL ahead of legislative hearing"
Feb. 26, 2024 | Nebraska Examiner
Gina Ligon, NCITE director, spoke about the impact of artificial intelligence on elections. "If you get enough of these threats, enough of these videos made about you, you’re maybe not going to volunteer to be an election official anymore ...That’s what keeps me up at night, is how we can protect election officials here in Nebraska from what I think is an imminent concern of how terrorists are going to use this technology,” she said.
"Publishing: Miranda Steege; 'A Woman's Life is a Human Life'; 'Out of Hiding'; 'Disability Works'"
Feb. 23, 2024 | University Times
Pete Simi, NCITE researcher and professor at Chapman University, was mentioned as a co-author of the book Out of Hiding which describes the continuation of white supremacist extremism in the modern era.
"San Diego man charged with threatening Arizona election official"
Feb. 22, 2024 | The San Diego Union-Tribune
Research from Seamus Hughes, NCITE senior research faculty and policy associate, and Pete Simi, NCITE principal investigator and professor at Chapman University, was referenced in an article about the arrest of a man who left threatening messages to an Arizona election official. The man is the 18th person to be federally charged for allegedly threatening a public official. Hughes said, “There are increasing threats against not only high-profile officials like the president, but also, increasingly, against the frontline public servants like election officials ... More and more, the threats result in a chilling effect where less people are willing to raise their hand to assist in the democratic process. Arrests like these help put a marker that threats against public officials should never be the norm.”
"Somalia's Stalled Offensive Against al-Shabaab: Taking Stock of Obstacles"
February 2024 | Combating Terrorism Center
Daisy Muibu, NCITE researcher, wrote an article about the offensive against al-Shabaab in Somalia. She writes, "The initial optimism that characterized the first few months of the Somali government’s offensive against al-Shabaab has, over time, diminished as the counterinsurgency’s momentum has stalled in the central regions of the country. Certainly, clan mobilization against al-Shabaab remains a significant development, and has arguably been the most consequential for the government’s initial gains against al-Shabaab. However, moving forward, significant obstacles need to be overcome before the government can effectively consolidate its gains and fully liberate and stabilize the country."
"'Ethical Hacking' Legislative bills would provide millions to upgrade, test Nebraska cybersecurity"
Feb. 9, 2024 | KETV7
Sam Hunter, head of strategic initiatives at NCITE, was quoted in an article discussing a bill that would provide funding to hire an "ethical hacker" to test the security of state agencies. Hunter said, "It's great to have the current capabilities that we have, but given the rise and trajectory, I would not be surprised that we need to increase our capability."
"Tennessee Man Plotted to Bring Gun and Explosives to the Border, FBI Says"
Feb. 6, 2024 | VICE
Seamus Hughes, NCITE senior research faculty and policy associate, was credited with first reporting about a man who was planning to attack migrants and law enforcement.
January
"Michigan man charged after threatening to hang Biden and Harris, bomb Washington DC"
Jan. 30, 2024 | Fox News
NCITE's research into threats against public officials was highlighted in an article about a Michigan Man federally charged for threatening to bomb Washington D.C. and specific government agencies.
"Northern Mich. man Russell Warren threatened President Biden, bombings, feds say"
Jan. 29, 2024 | The Detroit News
NCITE's research into threats against public officials was highlighted in an article about a Michigan man federally charged for posting threats against President Biden, Vice President Harris, and other government officials on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Global Research Network Research Digest: 2023 in Review"
January 2024 | UN CTED
Austin Doctor, head of counterterrorism research initiatives, was mentioned by the United Nations Security Council Counter-Terrorism Committee Executive Directorate for his publication "Trends in the Return and Prosecution of ISIS Foreign Terrorist Fighters."
"Phoenix man charged for threatening President highlights trend"
Jan. 24, 2024 | Arizona's Family
NCITE research was highlighted in an article about the rising number of threats to public officials, examining the case of an Arizona man who recently posted series of threats to assassinate President Biden and Vice President Harris on X.
"Far-Right Extremist Arrested After 4 Years Of Social Media DIY Chemical Weapons Tutorials"
Jan. 23, 2024 | Forbes
Austin Doctor, head of counterterrorism research initiatives at NCITE, was quoted in an article about a far-right extremist who posted tutorials about how to build chemical weapons. “We are seeing a surge in bomb related threats connected to political and extremist ideologies,” he said. “IEDs (improvised explosive devices) are appealing to a wide range of terrorists. This is not just al Qaeda. It's not just the Islamic State. It's U.S.-based anarchists and white supremacists too.”
"Prosecutions of threats hit a record high in 2023, researchers confirm"
Jan. 19, 2024 | USA Today
Seamus Hughes, NCITE senior research faculty and policy associate, was quoted in an article about the record number of proesecutions for threats to public officials in 2023. He also described the changing motivations of the perpetrators: “It’s clear from the data that the number of cases is rising as increasingly more ideological, instead of personal, grievances are driving those arrests.”
"Prosecutions of threats hit a record high in 2023, researchers confirm"
Jan. 19, 2024 | USA Today
Seamus Hughes, NCITE senior research faculty and policy associate, was quoted in an article about the record number of proesecutions for threats to public officials in 2023. He also described the changing motivations of the perpetrators: “It’s clear from the data that the number of cases is rising as increasingly more ideological, instead of personal, grievances are driving those arrests.”
"'Incredibly concerning,': Omaha man threatens to kill government officials, NCITE says threats are on the rise"
Jan. 19, 2024 | KETV
Gina Ligon, NCITE director, was interviewed for about threats to public officials. She noted that 2023 marked the highest number of threats recorded since NCITE started tracking them in 2013. She said, “I think my concern as a researcher, as an American, is that it's really just the tip of the iceberg.”
"Episode 2: Anti-institutional extremism in North America"
Jan. 18, 2024 | ICCT
Martha Crenshaw, NCITE researcher and emeritus professor of political science at Stanford University, was interviewed about anti-institutional extremism in North America.
"Faculty reflect on Duke's campus discourse surrounding Israel-Hamas war"
Jan. 18, 2024 | The Chronicle
David Schanzer, NCITE researcher and professor at Duke University, was interviewed in an article about how Duke has been responding to the Israel-Hamas conflict and the discourse surrounding it. He said, "When I talk about this, I try to talk about humanity on both sides of the issue. The Israeli perspective and the Palestinian perspective, they're both valid. And I think we have to honor both of them and to teach students why this is a difficult problem.”
"15 Years of Bad Israeli Policy Has Fueled the Flames of Anti-Semitism"
Jan. 17, 2024 | The Globe Post
David Schanzer, NCITE researcher and professor at Duke University, wrote an opinion piece about how Israeli policy has contributed to antisemitism.
"Book Review: Scholars analyze extremist white supremacy's grip on U.S. politics and culture"
Jan. 16, 2024 | Associated Press
Pete Simi, NCITE researcher and professor at Chapman University, was mentioned as a co-author of "Out of Hiding: Extremist White Supremacy and How It Can Be Stopped." The book is about white supremacy's political influence and power, as well as the threat that white supremacy poses to the United States.
"The Signal in the Noise: The 2023 Threats and Those on the Horizon"
Jan. 5, 2024 | Lawfare
Austin Doctor, head of counterterrorism research initiatives at NCITE, wrote an article about the worldwide terrorism threat landscape in 2023 and the terrorism outlook for the year ahead.
"2024 Kicks Off With Insane Number of Bomb Threats at State Capitols"
Jan. 3, 2024 | Yahoo! News
NCITE's research into threats against public officials was cited in an article about the bomb threats recieved by several state capitols early in 2024.
"Does FBI involvement in Rochester crash mean terrorism is suspected?"
Jan. 2, 2024 | Democrat and Chronicle
Seamus Hughes, NCITE senior research faculty and policy associate, was interviewed for an article examining whether terrorism could be involved in a fatal New Years Eve car crash near the Kodak Center in Rochester, N.Y.
NCITE in the News 2023
NCITE in the News 2022