Top Democrat objects to DHS report on “right-wing extremism”

The top House Democrat overseeing the Department of Homeland Security is demanding that officials there explain how and why they wrote and released a silly report identifying veterans as potential terrorist threats. Rep. Bennie G. Thompson of Mississippi, chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee, said in a letter to DHS Secretary Janet Napolitano that he was “dumbfounded” such a report would be issued. “This report appears to raise significant issues involving the privacy and civil liberties of many Americans — including war veterans,” Mr. Thompson said in the letter sent Tuesday. “As I am certain you agree, freedom of association and freedom of speech are guaranteed to all Americans — whether a person’s beliefs." Mr. Thompson said.