Gov. Greg Abbott Makes White Nationalism a Priority for DPS, Names New Texas Domestic Terror Task Force

AUSTIN -- In the wake of El Paso's mass shooting by a gunman alarmed about a "Hispanic invasion of Texas," Gov. Greg Abbott on Wednesday made white nationalism a priority for a newly formed group to combat domestic terror.The Domestic Terrorism Task Force, which will have its first meeting Aug. 30, will meet quarterly and provide advice in hopes Texas can "root out the extremist ideologies that fuel hatred and violence in our state," Abbott said in a written statementThe group, which will hold the roundtables Abbott spoke of when he flew to El Paso last week to meet with local lawmakers, is charged with improving tools and cooperation among local, state and federal law enforcement agencies."We stand united against those who wish to bring harm to our state, and together we will build a safer future for every Texan," he said.Later Wednesday, Abbott, was scheduled to fly to El Paso to participate in a memorial event for 22 people killed in the Aug. 3 gun massacre at a Walmart in central El Paso.In announcing the task force, Abbott said he also has ordered the Department of Public Safety to assess emerging threats and increase the number of DPS special agents and analysts in Texas Anti-Gang Centers who conduct criminal probes of gangs affiliated with neo-Nazis and white nationalists "and networks espousing terrorist attacks."  Continue reading...