The U.S. Department of Justice has quietly removed a government study documenting the prevalence of far-right violence from its official website, sparking concern and debate over transparency, political narratives, and the state of extremism in America. The study, titled "What NIJ Research Tells Us About Domestic Terrorism," was published in January 2024 by the National Institute of Justice and remained publicly accessible until at least September 12, 2025, according to multiple reports and archived web pages preserved by the Wayback Machine.
The now-unavailable report opened with a stark assessment: "The number of far-right attacks continues to outpace all other types of terrorism and domestic violent extremism." The study’s data, which spans from 1990 onward, details that far-right extremists have committed 227 ideologically motivated homicide events resulting in more than 520 deaths. In contrast, far-left extremists were responsible for 42 such attacks, causing 78 fatalities over the same period. These figures, as cited by 404 Media, underscore a longstanding trend that contradicts some of the most prominent political talking points currently circulating in Washington.
The removal of the study was first flagged by Daniel Malmer, a graduate student at the University of North Carolina who specializes in online extremism. On September 13, 2025, Malmer noted on social media, "It existed yesterday and is gone today," referring to the study’s sudden disappearance from the Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs website. The only way to access the document now is through archival sites like the Wayback Machine, which preserve historical versions of web pages.
When reporters reached out for an explanation, the Justice Department did not immediately respond. However, a notice on the study’s former web page offered a general rationale: "The Department of Justice’s Office of Justice Programs is currently reviewing its websites and materials in accordance with recent Executive Orders and related guidance. During this review, some pages and publications will be unavailable. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause." This message, as reported by 404 Media, has appeared on several government web pages in recent months.
The timing of the study’s removal has raised eyebrows, coming as it does on the heels of the high-profile assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. In the aftermath of Kirk’s murder, President Donald Trump and his allies have ramped up rhetoric blaming "the left" for political violence, with Trump alleging that left-wing actors are responsible for "most of the violence" in the country. Yet, as the deleted study and other research demonstrate, far-right violence has consistently been the deadliest form of domestic extremism in the United States since 1990.
Authorities investigating Kirk’s killing have stated that the suspected shooter adhered to a leftist ideology, citing text messages in which the individual allegedly expressed, "enough of [the activist’s] hatred." Despite this, officials have found no evidence linking larger organizations to the shooting, and the incident remains an isolated act rather than part of a coordinated campaign.
Critics argue that the removal of the DOJ study fits into a broader pattern under the Trump administration: the selective presentation of data and a willingness to sideline information that does not align with prevailing political narratives. According to 404 Media and other outlets, the deletion of the terrorism report mirrors similar actions taken by federal agencies in response to recent executive orders. These orders, signed by President Trump, direct agencies to eliminate references to diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility (DEIA) from their official materials and websites.
As a result, several agencies have limited or removed content related to race, gender, and LGBTQ identity. In one notable example, the Pentagon took down—and later restored—web pages highlighting the contributions of Black veterans and Navajo Code Talkers. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, meanwhile, temporarily removed a tool tracking infectious diseases before restoring it. These actions, taken together, have fueled accusations that the administration is attempting to rewrite the public record on issues of race, identity, and violence in America.
The deletion of the terrorism study has also reignited debate over how political violence is discussed and addressed in the country. While President Trump has been quick to condemn left-wing violence, critics say he has not similarly acknowledged or denounced the threat posed by far-right extremists. This perceived imbalance has become a flashpoint in the broader conversation about domestic security, free speech, and the politicization of law enforcement data.
According to 404 Media, the DOJ’s decision to remove the study is likely to have far-reaching implications for researchers, journalists, and policymakers who rely on government data to understand trends in extremism. With the report now only accessible through internet archives, the barrier to public scrutiny has been raised—at a moment when, many argue, transparency is more critical than ever.
The study’s disappearance also highlights the challenges of preserving public access to information in a digital age. As government agencies increasingly revise or remove online content in response to executive directives, the role of independent archives and watchdog groups becomes ever more vital. Without such resources, key insights into the scope and nature of domestic terrorism risk being lost to the public record.
Some observers see the removal as part of a larger struggle over the narrative of American violence. For years, partisan divides have shaped how acts of extremism are discussed, with each side accusing the other of downplaying or exaggerating the threat posed by their ideological opponents. The DOJ study—by presenting clear, data-driven evidence of the disproportionate toll of far-right violence—posed a challenge to those who argue that left-wing extremism is the primary danger.
It’s worth noting that the study’s findings are not unique. Multiple independent organizations, including the Anti-Defamation League and the Center for Strategic and International Studies, have documented similar trends: far-right actors are consistently responsible for the majority of deadly extremist attacks in the United States. The DOJ report, by virtue of its official status, carried particular weight in policy discussions and public debates.
For now, the fate of "What NIJ Research Tells Us About Domestic Terrorism" remains uncertain. The Justice Department’s Office of Justice Programs has not indicated when—or if—the study will return to its website. Meanwhile, the debate over political violence, government transparency, and the integrity of public data shows no sign of abating.
In a moment marked by rising polarization and suspicion, the disappearance of a single government report has become a symbol of the larger battle over truth, accountability, and the story America tells about itself.
