Question
Building on a point made in an earlier discussion, when does an act of civil disobedience or violence become domestic terrorism? Is it the political motivation? Alignment with left or right wing extremist values? Consider the January 6th events at the US Capitol. Was this an act of terrorism? Just a protest? How about the establishment of the CHAZ in the northwest US? The Proud Boyz? ANTIFA? The KKK? How about BLM? Each of these groups, even the KKK, have publicly identified themselves as guardians of some social ideal (even if history has shown otherwise). And each has been implicated in various acts of violence ranging from murder, to arson, to civil disruption on a national scale. Can a group start with good intentions and devolve (or evolve) into a terrorist organization? How about street and prison gangs? The Mexican Mafia, MS13, Crips, and Aryan Brotherhood are extremely organized, well funded, well armed, and violent groups responsible for murder, human trafficking, and decades of urban violence...are they terrorist groups?
What makes an organization or act domestic terrorism as opposed to just criminal? Why is the distinction even important?