Domestic Extremism Risks and Responses
Wednesday, Sept. 20, 2023
9:00-10:00 am PST
NSF Hybrid Event
In-Person at Reno-Elks
597 Kumle Lane, Reno, NV
Event 8:15-10:00 AM PDT
Breakfast served 8:15-9:00, Forum 9:00-10:00 am
Virtual on Zoom
Forum 9:00-10:00 am PST
Register in advance for this webinar:
https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_VDwI2PAuQrG2H8buPjmPoA
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar.
Keynote Speaker:
Sean Jolly (FBI)
Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI)
Supervisory Special Agent, National Security
Las Vegas Division – Reno Resident Agency
Discussants:
Michael Matthews (DHS/CISA)
Protective Security Advisor for Nevada
Department of Homeland Security, Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (DHS/CISA)
Susan Malone (NSF and DoD/CASA)
National Security Forum Board of Directors
Dept. of Defense, Civilian Advisor to the Secretary of the Army for Nevada (DoD/CASA)
After a summer hiatus from programs, we are back with an exciting lineup of programs for this fall. During the last few months the NSF Board of Directors and staff focused our energy on board development, strategy and financial planning for the years ahead, and reviewing new program formats and venues. We are pleased to announce that NSF is back and ready to share national security opportunities to our communities, north, south, and beyond Nevada! We have expanded the breadth and format of our programs to include our traditional breakfast meetings, longer workshops to allow more in-depth discussions on timely topics, and more opportunities to tour facilities and capabilities with national security partners in Nevada.
During our Board strategy session this summer, everyone agreed that a major focus for NSF moving forward needs to be our outreach to the next generation of national security leaders and informed citizens. To meet this goal, we will be expanding our engagement with the Washoe County School District (WCSD) in preparation of our annual Youth Security Forum (YSF) event in May and building better connections to students at University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and the Truckee Meadows Community College (TMCC). As we refine our plans, we will be looking for volunteers to help us with YSF and other youth engagement. If you are interested in helping out please email me at: [email protected] or Kimberly Pickens at: [email protected].
In the meantime, please join us for one or more of the following programs:
- NSF Breakfast Forum (Hybrid) Wednesday, September 20th at Reno-Elks – “Domestic Extremism Risks and Responses” with Sean Jolley (FBI), Mike Matthews (DHS-CISA), and Susan Malone (NSF and DoD/CASA) PLEASE NOTE: that because this program is on a Wednesday and there will be another group there from 7:00-8:00, we ask that you not arrive before 0800 or you may have to circle the parking lot to find a space. We promise a yummy breakfast will be waiting for you when you get inside a few minutes after 0800. Our program will still be 0900-1000 with a few extra minutes reserved if Q/A goes long.
- NSF Special Event Tuesday morning October 17th at Montreux Golf and Country Club – “Artificial Intelligence (AI): How it works, what are the risks, and how do we protect ourselves and our national security” with Rex and Caleb Briggs (AI experts and authors). This special event will be held in the Aspen Room at Montreux (the lovely glass building adjacent to the Clubhouse). It will have two parts: Part I (8:00-10:00am) will be our usual hybrid (in-person/Zoom) breakfast forum, with Rex and Caleb presenting on the basics of how AI works and discussing national security risks, followed by an engaging Q&A. Part 2 (10:30-12:00) will be a hands-on session for those interested in learning more about how to use AI securely. Recommend anyone wanting to attend Part 2 to bring their laptop and an open mind.
- NSF Friends of the Forum and Corporate Sponsor Reception Tuesday evening October 17 evening (5:00-7:00p) at Montreux Golf and Country Club – This will be a reception to thank our Friends of the Forum sponsors, donors to our 2023 Youth Security Forum, and out Corporate Sponsors. Tony Bancroft (GAMCO) will be sharing his insights on the ins and outs of defense industries in the US and China from his perspective of an US Air Force officer and research analyst for Gabelli Funds.
- NSF-Braver Angels Common Ground Workshop on Saturday Nov 4th 9:00-12:00 (venue to be confirmed) – Following up from our March Forum event where our Braver Angels partners discussed their efforts to promote civil discourse and bridge the partisan divide, NSF will be hosting a Common Ground workshop. We opted to hold this on the weekend just prior to 2023 November elections in preparation for a contentious 2024 election year. Participants will learn and practice skills on how to find common ground as you discuss important and timely national security topics with your friends, family, and fellow community members. Civil discourse is essential for our national security and our democracy. This will be a chance to practice skills that can help bridge division and encourage the healing we need to keep our nation secure.
- Spring Tours – In addition to our forum events, we are lining up several tour options in the spring including a return visit to the Nevada National Security Site (NNSS), courtesy of our partner and corporate sponsor Mission Support and Test Services (MSTS), a tour of Naval Air Station Fallon, and a visit to a counterterrorism training facility. Stay tuned for details and sign-up links.
And now more about our September 20th forum…
“Americans hold a wide array of beliefs. That is part of what makes the United States such a diverse and extraordinary nation. Preserving and safeguarding constitutionally protected expression and freedom of association are national security priorities. Our rights and our historic liberties are an intrinsic part of what makes America strong. So this Strategy is narrowly tailored to focus specifically on addressing violence and the factors that lead to violence – violence that violates the law, threatens public safety, and infringes on the free expression of ideas.” (National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism, June 2021)
Following the attacks on the US Capitol on January 6th, 2001, the White House released the first National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism in June 2021. The crux of the strategy is not to limit freedom of speech but to counter violent acts that threaten people, property, and our democracy. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) are the key players in implementing this strategy and keeping our country safe.
- Link to the June 2021 National Strategy: National Strategy Countering Domestic Extremism
In June 2023, the agencies assessed progress and reviewed a long list of improvements yet to be realized to address this threat. Progress has been made, but much remains to be done to heal our country as we head into a contentious election year in 2024.
“Domestic terrorism strikes at the very foundations of democracy and is a direct threat to the civil rights and civil liberties guaranteed to all Americans. Those who engage in domestic terrorism and hate-fueled violence attempt to intimidate Americans and deny them their most basic rights, including their lives and liberty.” (FACT SHEET National Strategy for Countering Domestic Terrorism Strategic Implementation Update 27 Jun 2023)
- Link to the June 223 Fact Sheet: 2023 FACT SHEET
NSF is honored to have three national leaders who are at the forefront of responding to the threat of domestic extremism in the United States present their perspectives on threats and responses. Mr. Sean Jolley, FBI Supervisory Special Agent will give the keynote presentation about how the FBI assesses threats and responds to domestic terrorism events. Hailing from Reno and Las Vegas, Sean will bring the discussion home for NSF discussing threats and issues that impact not only the United States as a whole, but also communities in Nevada. Sean will be joined by Mr. Mike Matthews (DHS/CISA Protective Security Advisor for Nevada and NSF regular) who will serve as discussant to frame these issues from the DHS and interagency perspective. Mike is a regular NSF presenter and contributor and has helped us understand a wide range of threats and responses over the years. You can learn more about Mike at: Mike Matthews DHS/CISA
Sean and Mike will also be joined by our very own, the Honorable Susan Malone. Susan is a NSF Board member and newly appointed Civilian Advisor for the Secretary of the Army (CASA) for Nevada. As many of you may know, Susan was one of the first (of two) women to be selected, trained, and sworn in as FBI Special Agents in July 1972. In July 2023 she returned to Washington, DC again to be sworn in as the CASA for Nevada at the Pentagon. You can learn more about Susan’s illustrious career in law enforcement and military service at the following links:
- Hon Susan Malone FBI Interview July 2012: Susan Malone FBI Interview
- Hon Susan Malone appointed CASA-Nevada: Susan Malone Appointed CASA July 2023
Please join us for a very important and timely program and be ready to share your thoughts and questions with our speakers.
Sean Jolley, Supervisory Special Agent (SSA) Jolley has been with the FBI for 15 years. He started his career as a Special Agent in the Reno office assigned to work Counterintelligence matters. He left Reno in 2016 to serve at FBIHQ as a supervisor in Counterespionage section. He returned Reno after 18 months at FBIHQ and is now the supervisor of the national security squad which includes Counterintelligence, Counterterrorism, Weapons of Mass Destruction, and Cyber matters. SSA Jolley also serves as the Las Vegas Division’s program coordinator for the domestic terrorism threat.
The National Security Forum is a non-partisan, educational, nonprofit organization dedicated to fostering civil discourse and informed discussion about timely and important national security topics. We bring expert speakers from around the U.S. to talk about national and international security, domestic and foreign terrorism, economic and financial threats, the safety of our food and water supply, energy policy, electrical grid stability, and a variety of other topics that affect all Americans. The National Security Forum partners with the Washoe County School District to host an annual Youth Security Forum to encourage future generations national security leaders.
To support NSF continuing to bring national security programs to our community and our local students please join NSF as a member or Friend of the Forum at: https://nationalsecurityforum.org/membership/about-our-membership/