University of Maryland Seeks Private Funds After Federal Grant Cuts
The University of Maryland’s research center focused on terrorism data is now turning to private donations after the Trump administration cut federal funding due to concerns over alleged political bias.
The National Consortium for Researching Terrorism and Responding to Terrorism, known as Start, claims that the federal government has halted “almost all grants and cooperation agreements.” They have expressed a need for immediate support to continue their research into “targeting violence,” particularly studies related to “anti-immigrant” ideologies. This comes on the heels of a controversial incident involving an assassination attempt on President Trump.
A senior official from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Start’s funding was terminated because of inaccuracies in their data practices. The official criticized Start’s database on terrorism and targeted violence for being linked to Trump’s “anti-immigrant” rhetoric while failing to address significant anti-Israel incidents on campuses and overestimating threats from right-wing groups while downplaying left-wing extremism.
As of now, Start hasn’t responded to requests for clarification on these matters.
Officials have also highlighted troubling inclusions in Start’s database, which previously labeled peaceful pro-life activists alongside groups like the Ku Klux Klan and Al Qaeda. After media scrutiny and legal pressure, the consortium modified its database, removing the “terrorist group” classification for pro-life organizations. A DHS official commented that such labeling poses risks to national security and misinforms law enforcement efforts.
Start now finds itself at a crucial juncture. Their website indicates this is one of the most precarious moments in its two-decade existence. Federal funding cuts in recent months account for around 40% of their annual budget, totaling millions of dollars.
The database aimed to chronicle extremist violence in the United States but has faced scrutiny, particularly regarding its handling of specific incidents. Notably, some events deemed “violent,” like burning LGBTQ flags, were included, while certain anti-Israel actions went unmentioned.
Before the funding was withdrawn, the DHS had allocated over $3.5 million to Start. The department announced in June its commitment to cutting unnecessary spending, which included counter-terrorism programs.
In light of these challenges, Start has announced a shift towards a subscription-based model to sustain operations. They are appealing to donors for immediate financial support while planning the details of this new funding model.
Much of Start’s work has concentrated on right-wing extremism, including groups supportive of Trump. National security experts have raised concerns about the accuracy of their studies, particularly regarding the classification of certain groups as extremist.
Founded by DHS in 2005, Start remains hopeful about pursuing federal funding opportunities that may still be available, emphasizing the need for partnerships during this significant transition.
