The Terrorgram Collective: Unmasking the Far-Right’s Global Network of Violence
The arrest of Brandon Russell, founder of the neo-Nazi group Atomwaffen Division, in 2019 sent shockwaves through the American security establishment. However, Russell’s case was just the tip of the iceberg. It revealed the existence of a far-reaching, transnational network of violent extremists – the Terrorgram Collective. This secretive group, operating largely through encrypted messaging platforms like Telegram, has been steadily growing in power and influence, posing a significant risk to national security and the safety of individuals and communities targeted by its members.
Recent federal indictments and detention hearings have shed light on the inner workings of the Terrorgram Collective, revealing its highly organized structure, violent ideology, and global reach. The group’s members, who hail from various countries, are united by their shared commitment to accelerationism, a radical ideology that calls for the collapse of existing societal structures through widespread violence and chaos to usher in a new world order based on white supremacy.
The Indictments and the Threat:
The most recent development in the ongoing effort to dismantle the Terrorgram Collective came with the indictments of two alleged members – John Allison and Sarah Humber. These indictments provide a chilling glimpse into the group’s aims and methods, painting a disturbing picture of planned violence, targeted assassinations, and a deep-seated commitment to white supremacist ideology.
Allison, according to the indictment, was deeply entrenched in the Terrorgram Collective’s hierarchy. He was a vocal advocate for violence, declaring in a Telegram post cited by federal prosecutors, "I won’t quit til I’m dead. my only goal in life is to fucking destroy the enemy." Allison was allegedly a key player in identifying, tracking, and targeting perceived enemies of the group, including journalists, law enforcement officials, and others deemed "enemies of the white race."
Humber, meanwhile, played a critical role in facilitating the group’s plans for retribution. The indictment alleges that she worked with Russell to identify and potentially harm a government informant involved in his case. Humber, according to a recorded jailhouse call, admitted to possessing photographs of the suspected informant and employing facial recognition software to track their movements. These actions, coupled with Allison’s stated goal of "destroying the enemy," highlight the Terrorgram Collective’s willingness to engage in acts of violence to achieve its objectives.
Building a Case: The DOJ’s Shift
The indictments and detention motions against Allison and Humber represent a significant shift in the US Department of Justice’s (DOJ) approach to combating far-right terrorism. In the past, the DOJ has focused on prosecuting individuals for specific acts of violence, often ignoring the networks and ideologies that fuel such actions. However, the actions taken against the Terrorgram Collective reflect a more proactive and comprehensive strategy.
"When they go further than they have in the past to lay out the transnational connections and overlay a material support charge, it shows that either the feds are trying to make a point, or they were very concerned about these particular actors," said J.J. Hughes, a researcher focused on extremism and counterterrorism.
The inclusion of senior attorneys from the DOJ’s Civil Rights and National Security divisions on the Terrorgram Collective case indicates that the Biden administration is taking this threat seriously. "To build a case in this fashion is a decision that gets made at Main Justice," Hughes explained. "Someone high up decided to sign off on this."
The Shadowy World of Accelerationism
The Terrorgram Collective serves as a potent example of the dangers posed by accelerationism, a radical ideology that has gained traction in far-right circles. Accelerationists fundamentally believe that society is on the brink of collapse and that only through violence and chaos can a new, white supremacist order be established. They view acts like mass shootings, bombings, and targeted assassinations as necessary stepping stones to the collapse of current societal structures.
The Christchurch and Buffalo Massacres:
While the Terrorgram Collective has not been directly linked to specific acts of violence, its ideology closely mirrors that of individuals who carried out the Christchurch, New Zealand, massacre in 2019 and the Buffalo, New York, supermarket shooting in 2022. Both shooters, inspired by accelerationist principles, targeted minorities and sought to provoke a societal collapse they believed would usher in a world dominated by white supremacy.
The Global Network of Hate
The Terrorgram Collective’s reach extends far beyond US borders, connecting with extremist groups and individuals across the globe. The indictment identifies members from various countries, highlighting the transnational character of the threat posed by this group. This global network allows for the dissemination of radical ideology, recruitment of new members, and coordination of potentially violent actions.
The Challenges Ahead
The ongoing battle against the Terrorgram Collective and other far-right extremist groups presents significant challenges. The use of encrypted messaging platforms like Telegram, combined with the anonymity offered by the internet, allows extremists to connect and organize without detection. Furthermore, the lack of clear legal frameworks for prosecuting individuals who engage in online activities that promote violence makes it difficult for law enforcement to dismantle these networks effectively.
Combating the Threat:
Countering the threat posed by groups like the Terrorgram Collective requires a multi-pronged approach. Law enforcement agencies must continue to investigate and prosecute members involved in criminal activity. Efforts must also be made to develop more effective strategies for monitoring online extremist activity and identifying individuals at risk of radicalization.
Equally important is the need to counter the ideology that drives these groups. Countering hate speech and promoting tolerance and respect for diversity is crucial in preventing individuals from being drawn into extremist movements.
The ongoing struggle against the Terrorgram Collective is a stark reminder of the evolving nature of terrorism and the complex challenges it presents to global security. As the world becomes increasingly interconnected, it is essential to remain vigilant and proactive in combating the spread of ideologies that promote violence and hatred.
