Why terrorism for some (black guy on subway) and not others (whites storming the capitol)

[JT45242]

From the fbi website

Domestic terrorism: Violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups to further ideological goals stemming from domestic influences, such as those of a political, religious, social, racial, or environmental nature.

Since they had not mentioned what ideological goals the NY subway gunman was trying to further. I wonder why -- this person of color -- with no obvious political affiliations when they arrested him according to the news outlets that I saw was arrested for terrorism.

Yet, the coup crowd which was overwhelmingly white and were definitely committing crimes to further ideological goals of a white nationalist state have had no defendant charged with terrorism.

Is it impossible in this country to be a terrorist without brown or black skin? Muslims, native americans, and blacks have been charged but not Bundy and his group. Not the January 6 coup.

The subway gunman may have been acting as a terrorist and not just a whack job who wanted to kill a lot of people. But -- it seems odd that this particular charge dropped so quickly on a black man and that the DOJ and FBI have been completely unwilling to use that charge against white supremacists.

[58Sunliner]

1. Has to do with federal law of targeting mass transit. Also easy to prove intent, murder.

Not saying I agree with the charges, or lack of, relating to the coup crowd, but it is justified here. I personally would like to see all of them charged with domestic terrorism. But I don't know the applicable laws.

[BeyondGeography]

2. Transportation terrorism laws were bulked up after 9/11

And that was a good thing. Targeting public transport is a way to terrorize huge populations and bring all of urban life to a standstill.

The 1/6 comparison is worth discussing but the better question is would a white assailant face the same charge for the same crimes. I don’t think there’s much doubt about that.

[Demsrule86]

5. Yes a white person would face the same charges in this case.

[Demsrule86]

3. He shot six people and would have done worse if his gun didn't jam. And when you mess with

transportation, it is considered terrorism.

[Dr. Strange]

4. If you want to know why/how it was deemed "terrorism" so quickly...

Popehat has a thread about it here:

Link to tweet

[JT45242]

6. Thanks for the clarifications

Mass transit is automatically terrorism. They were not clear on that last night when I saw a bit of the news (did not watch the endless coverage).

I still think the coup crowd deserves to be terrorists but at least this is consistent with what is written in the post 9/11 laws.

[Atticus]

7. THIS! nt

[imaginary girl]

8. I wondered this too

Thanks for asking the question. Also thanks to those who provided more info!