The Biden administration is channeling funds to a university program that lumps Christian and conservative groups into the same category as Nazis.
Through a grant initiative meant to fight terrorism, called the Targeted Violence & Terrorism Prevention Grant Program, the Department of Homeland Security is directing money to a program at the University of Dayton called PREVENTS-OH. The program received more than $350,000 to fight "domestic violence extremism and hate movements."
In its application for the grant, the university pointed to a conference it held where it presented a chart that categorized groups into a "Pyramid of Far-Right Radicalization." Among the groups listed were mainstream conservative institutions such as the Heritage Foundation, Fox News, and the GOP, alongside Nazi groups including a paramilitary organization and a pro-Nazi publication.
DHS awarded 80 grants in total through the program, which began under the Trump administration as a means to address all kinds of terrorism. Under the Biden administration, the program now focuses on right-wing violence and white supremacy. The grant amounts range between $85,000 and $1.19 million and have cost taxpayers a total of nearly $40 million.
DHS secretary Alejandro Mayorkas called the program a "high priority," according to an internal memo. Republicans have investigated Mayorkas extensively for his failure on the border crisis. A House Republican told him last month that he has "brought generational trauma upon our country."