MSNBC Host Claims US Military Veterans Pose Greater Terrorism Threat Than Immigrants

MSNBC host Lawrence O’Donnell argued Thursday that U.S. military veterans, not illegal immigrants, are the primary instigators of domestic terrorism. O’Donnell cited historical examples, including the Oklahoma City bombing by Army veteran Timothy McVeigh, to support his claim that American-born military personnel have perpetrated more deadly attacks than those crossing the southern border.

‘The simple fact is, this country has suffered more deadly terrorism at the hands of American-born citizens who are veterans of the United States military than people who have crossed into this country at the southern border,’ O’Donnell said during his segment. ‘It is very clear from the evidence that if you want to worry about terrorism in this country, the United States Army is a much bigger problem than the southern border.’

O’Donnell referenced the recent New Year’s Eve attack in New Orleans, where Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a U.S. Army veteran, allegedly drove a truck into a crowd, killing 15 people and injuring dozens. Jabbar, who was armed with a Glock and a .308 rifle, was killed in a shootout with police. Authorities later found an ISIS flag in his vehicle, raising questions about the attack’s motives.

The MSNBC host also highlighted the case of Timothy McVeigh, who killed 167 people in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing. McVeigh, a decorated Army veteran, harbored deep anti-government sentiments. ‘Timothy McVeigh’s hatred of the American government was not tamed in any way by his service in the American military,’ O’Donnell said.

O’Donnell criticized former President Donald Trump for focusing on immigration as a source of terrorism while ignoring the threat posed by domestic extremists with military backgrounds. ‘No one who has ever crossed the southern border, in the history of the existence of the southern border, has killed more people in this country than Timothy McVeigh,’ he added.

According to a report by the National Institute of Justice (NIJ), 11.5% of domestic extremists involved in violent and nonviolent crimes since 1990 have military backgrounds. The report noted a growing trend of veterans engaging in extremist activities, with an average of 29 such cases annually over the past decade, compared to seven per year between 1990 and 2010.

The NIJ also found that veterans’ unique skills make them attractive recruits for extremist groups, and the transition from military to civilian life can be a contributing factor to radicalization. Meanwhile, data from a liberal research organization revealed that between 1975 and 2022, only nine of 219 foreign-born terrorists who carried out attacks on U.S. soil were illegal immigrants.

O’Donnell’s remarks have sparked debate about the role of military veterans in domestic terrorism and the broader narrative surrounding immigration and national security.