Vice President Kamala Harris’ mixed racial background has raised security concerns ahead of the Democratic National Convention, according to Frank Figliuzzi, a former FBI counterintelligence expert.
Figliuzzi, who has previously testified before Congress, highlighted that racially driven extremism poses the most significant threat in the U.S. He argues that Harris’ biracial identity—being both Black and Indian—could make her a target for white supremacist groups.
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The upcoming Democratic National Convention, scheduled for August 19 to 22 in Chicago, will see Harris officially accept her party’s presidential nomination.
On August 2, a Virginia man was arrested for allegedly making online threats to kill Harris and other officials, including a disturbing threat to burn her alive.
During his initial court appearance, a judge ordered the man detained until a hearing could take place.
Figliuzzi noted that lone actors represent a challenging and unpredictable threat to both domestic and international security, especially when they operate in online forums undetected.
“Many people think the FBI is surveilling all online activity, but that’s a misconception,” he explained. “The FBI can only monitor specific threats when there’s cause to do so.” He added that it’s simply not feasible for law enforcement to keep an eye on every potential threat.
“We wouldn’t want a society where we’re constantly being watched,” he said, emphasizing the complexities of neutralizing isolated threats.
With the DNC being classified as a National Security Special Event, Figliuzzi assured that the full range of federal resources—complete with classified strategies—will be employed to ensure safety at the convention. This should make it even more difficult for a lone actor to pose a risk.
Per the guidelines of the Secret Service, the Secretary of Homeland Security has the authority to designate such events, leading to extensive collaboration among federal agencies to maintain security.