Governor Greg Abbott announced the formation of a Domestic Terrorism Task Force on Wednesday.
In a statement, Governor Abbott’s Office announced the creation of the task force, just weeks after the deadly mass shooting at a Wal-Mart location in El Paso. Abbott’s Office says the task force will be meant to combat “hateful acts and extremism” in Texas.
“Our top priority is to keep Texans safe in their communities,” Abbott said. “Part of that mission is to combat domestic terrorism and root out the extremist ideologies that fuel hatred and violence in our state. This task force brings together leaders with the expertise Texas needs to develop effective strategies and combat domestic terrorism. Texas is stronger when we come together in pursuit of a shared goal, and today’s actions are vital steps in our ongoing fight against extremism and violence. We stand united against those who wish to bring harm to our state, and together we will build a safer future for every Texan.”
The Task Force will consist of members from multiple governmental functions and will “analyze and provide advice on strategies to maximize law enforcement’s ability to protect against acts of domestic terrorism.”
For additional details, please visit Gov.Texas.Gov.
