Justice Department Vows Response Amid Rising Attacks on Religious Venues

Alan Hausman often finds himself haunted by "survivor's guilt." During a phone conversation, he paused before recounting his futile attempts to navigate roadblocks in Pittsburgh to reach a nearby venue after being informed of a shooting incident. He vividly remembers the chaos that followed.

"Every time there's another attack, it feels like an old wound is reopened," said Hausman. As president of the board at the synagogue, he was not present during the tragic October 2018 shooting that claimed 11 lives.

The aftermath of this massacre resulted in multiple charges, including hate crimes against the assailant.

In his role as a Pittsburgh emergency management official, Hausman mentioned that many religious sites, including the Tree of Life, have since added security measures such as armed guards and advanced alarm systems to prevent similar occurrences. Parking lot patrolling is also in place.

Despite these measures, recent data from the FBI and discussions with Justice Department officials indicate that the tragedy was an early indication of the increasing deliberate attacks on religious venues.

Analysis by CBS News of FBI crime reports reveals a stark rise—nearly 100%—in assaults against religious sites between 2021 and 2023.

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon, speaking with CBS News, noted a substantial increase in cases involving the targeting of religious institutions on her desk.

"These violent acts aim to instill fear in communities," Dhillon commented. "They are designed to dissuade attendance at these venues, fostering an environment of insecurity."

A case in June saw a 25-year sentence imposed on Rui Zhang from Virginia for planning an assault on a church in Haymarket, Virginia. Authorities found him armed inside the church during a Sunday service.

Earlier in April, another conviction was secured against Zimnako Saleh from Arizona, who had targeted multiple churches with suspicious backpacks intended to spread fear.

Intensified Federal Efforts to Counter Religious Site Attacks

Dhillon highlighted the focused approach of civil rights investigators to deter future attacks on places of worship.

"Our goal is to ensure these religious sites do not become easy targets," Dhillon asserted. "Prioritizing this deterrence is imperative."

The rise in threats can be traced back, in part, to emerging white nationalist ideologies and attacks on minority groups or religious venues supportive of LGBTQ communities, as observed by the Southern Poverty Law Center.

R.G. Cravens, a researcher from SPLC, noted an increase in attacks on synagogues following the attacks in Israel, often involving vandalism, graffiti, and harassment linked to far-right extremists.

Dhillon referred to additional cases under examination. For example, in February, Kevin Colantonio confessed to setting fires around a predominantly Black church in Rhode Island.

Such federal cases often carry substantial potential sentences. Zhang, for instance, faces imprisonment until 2050.

Dhillon emphasized the commitment of the newly instated Justice Department leaders, citing cases like the rapid filing of charges against a suspect in Boulder, Colorado, involved in a Molotov cocktail attack against peaceful demonstrators.

"We acted quickly to reinforce the seriousness with which these hate crimes are regarded by the United States," Dhillon reiterated.

Upcoming Legal Proceedings

In August, the Justice Department is preparing for a court session involving Elias Rodriguez, accused of killing two Israeli embassy officials in Washington, D.C.

Witnesses allege Rodriguez opened fire on a couple near a museum, yelling "free, free Palestine" amid his arrest. The Justice Department promptly announced investigating the case as a potential hate crime.