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UNCLASSIFIED/ALAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE (U) Analysis of Alternatives. (U//FOUO) The FBI considered the alternative hypothesis that retaliatory violence against law enforcement is not ideologically motivated, but rather a result that some individuals may simply harbor animosity toward police and exploit racial tensions as an excuse to commit acts of assessment because strictly criminal subjects typically commit spontaneous, "defensive" acts of violence against police rather than proactive targeting, and use idiosyncratic reasons unrelated to ideology, such as financial gain and personal disputes, to justify their actions. The FBI further judges it is very likely BIEs proactively target police and openly identify and justify their actions with social-political agendas commensurate with their perceived injustices against African Americans, and in some cases, their identified affiliations with violent extremist groups (U) Outlook (U//FOUO) The FBI assesses it is very likely that BIEs' perceptions of unjust treatment of African Americans and the perceived unchallenged illegitimate actions of law enforcement will inspire premeditated attacks against law enforcement over the next year. This may also lead to an increase in BIE group memberships, collaboration among BIE groups, or the appearance of additional violent lone offenders motivated by BIE rhetoric. The FBI further assesses it is very likely additional controversial police shootings of African Americans and the associated legal proceedings will continue to serve as drivers for violence against law enforcement. The FBI assesses it is likely police officers of minority groups are also targeted by BIEs because they are also representative of a perceived oppressive law enforcement system. (U//FOuO) Possible indicators for BIEs posing a violent threat to law enforcement include advocating for violence against law enforcement, violent anti-white rhetoric, attempts to acquire illegal weapons or explosives, and affiliations with others in both the BSE and sovereign citizen extremist movements. (U) Intelligence Requirements b7E (U) This Intelligence Assessment was prepared by the FBI. of the Counterterrorism Division. Comments and queries may be addressed to the Scection Chicf by calling 1-202-32+-3000 or via e-mail at FBI i.ic.fbi. gov. UNCLASSIFIED/ALAW ENFORCEMENT SENSITIVE 7