24-year-old Noah Lamb, a California man, faces federal charges after creating an assassination list targeting federal officials, according to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ). Lamb is accused of collaborating with members of the ‘Terrorgram Collective,’ a transnational terrorist group operating primarily on Telegram, to compile a list of individuals deemed ‘high-value targets’ based on their race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or gender identity. The indictment outlines the group’s ideology, which promotes the idea that the white race is superior and that violence and terrorism are necessary to incite a race war and establish a white ethnostate. The DOJ described the collective as a platform for spreading racially or ethnically motivated violent extremism and for encouraging acts of violence against perceived enemies of the white race, including government buildings, energy facilities, and high-profile politicians.
The indictment details that the group used Telegram to coordinate attacks, disseminate bomb-making instructions, and share lists of potential targets for assassination, including a federal judge, a senator, and a former U.S. attorney. Lamb is alleged to have participated in the creation and dissemination of such a list, contributing to the planning of violent acts against federal officials. In a statement, acting U.S. Attorney Michele Beckwith emphasized that the case highlights the dangers of hate-fueled conspiracies and the DOJ’s commitment to prosecuting individuals who promote such ideologies. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon added that the Justice Department is dedicated to protecting the civil rights of all Americans and pursuing those responsible for hate crimes and terrorist threats.
Other members of the ‘Terror,gram Collective’ have also faced charges. For instance, Dallas Humber and Matthew Allison, both charged with a 15-count indictment, were accused of soliciting hate crimes, conspiring to provide material support for terrorists, and encouraging followers to attack perceived enemies of the white race. The indictment against them described the Telegram channel as a tool for promoting ‘white supremacist accelerationism,’ a concept that suggests violence and terrorism are necessary to hasten the collapse of the current government and the rise of a white ethnostate. Humber and Allison each pleaded not guilty to the charges, highlighting the ongoing legal battle against the group’s leadership. The case underscores the growing concern over domestic terrorism in the United States, particularly from far-right extremists who have increasingly turned to online platforms to organize and radicalize followers.
The DOJ’s actions in this case are part of a broader effort to combat the rise in antisemitic and racially motivated extremism, as highlighted in recent reports. These reports indicate an alarming increase in terror plots across the United States since 2020, driven by extremist ideologies. The arrest and prosecution of individuals like Lamb, Humber, and Allison serve as a reminder of the government’s willingness to act against groups that threaten national security and public safety. Nonetheless, the case also raises questions about the effectiveness of current counter-terrorism measures and the challenges of monitoring and preventing the spread of extremist ideologies online, particularly through encrypted platforms like Telegram.