'Do I call? Don't I call?' Study looks at domestic terrorism vulnerabilities in Texas

AUSTIN (KXAN) -- In the aftermath of the terror attack in New Orleans that killed 14 people, there are questions over how well prepared Texas is to prevent something similar from happening.

That topic isn't a new one and has been looked at in detail by law enforcement, and a 2021 study from the University of Texas titled Domestic Terrorism in the Digital Age.

While researchers analyzed trends from across the U.S., they also spent much of the study examining Texas specifically.

They found, in part, that government efforts at the federal, state and local levels had not adequately responded to the rising threat of domestic terrorist attacks, which rose 144% from 2019 to 2020.

The problems in Texas were compounded by demographic shifts, the growth of hate groups, and barriers to coordination, intelligence gathering, and funding, according to the study.

The study calls out social media as a way of amplifying grievances and speeding up the radicalization of isolated people, while reinforcing their extremist beliefs.

Among its recommendations are an expanded effort that includes the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and government agencies collaborating together.

University of Texas Professor Paul Pope directed the study and has a background in intelligence and national security after serving in the military and working for the CIA.

Pope talked with KXAN about some of the study's key takeaways. The interview was lightly edited for clarity and brevity.

Tom Miller: What did your study find when it comes to what's driving domestic terrorism in Texas?

Professor Paul Pope: The thing that's driving it in Texas is the same that's driving it across the country. I would give you three broad categories. One is polarization. Political polarization is a big factor. Two is social media. It's very much an accelerant to the path to violence. It can go much faster with social media than it did in previous times. Then three is mental health. Many of these incidents have a major mental health component.

Tom: When you look specifically at Austin, what are some of our vulnerabilities here?

Pope: What's happened since 9/11 is we have hardened a lot of our targets. If you want to make a political statement, things that you would hit, you can't. What's happened is that effort has driven anybody who wants to commit this kind of act of violence toward softer targets. Austin has many of these mass gatherings that become soft targets that our law enforcement and federal authorities and others have to deal with.

Tom: What department is responsible for keeping Texans safe from domestic terrorism?

Pope: The Texas Department of Public Safety. But the real answer to your question is the key to this issue. If no one tells the FBI, or the Texas Department of Public Safety through its tip line, or the local police, that they're worried about somebody committing an act of violence, in many cases there may be no tripwire whatsoever that would prompt an investigation. That's very different than a coordinated attack by an external terrorist group. The path to violence can be so rapid. It's all of us, including you in the media, me in academia, but also just as private citizens — we have a responsibility. Law enforcement has a very narrow window in which they can open an investigation, and if they don't have our help, it's going to be really hard to do that.

Tom: What are some of the solutions that you put forward, and have you seen those implemented?

Pope: One place I would like to see resources applied is education of the public. The idea that 'if I see something that seems weird, do I call? Don't I call?' Call. If your friend is, you know, making bombs in his basement, maybe you want to give somebody a call.