Richard Spencer Image by Getty Images

The Department of Homeland Security has denounced “all forms of violent extremism” following the resignation of a department policy analyst who was connected to white nationalists, The Atlantic reported.

Leaked emails seen by The Atlantic show that analyst Ian Smith had been in contact and planned events with a group that included known white nationalists. One email thread sent to Smith included the address of white nationalist leader Richard Spencer. Jared Taylor, the founder of the white nationalist publication American Renaissance, was also a recipient of an email sent to Smith.

The messages show how prominent white nationalists interact and stay in touch with each other, including gathering for what they called an “Alt-right Toastmasters” night.

Forwarding the News

Thoughtful, balanced reporting from the Forward and around the web, bringing you updated news and analysis each day.

Terms(Required)

I agree to the Forward's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Email(Required)

When asked for comment, Smith said in an email: “I no longer work at DHS as of last week and didn’t attend any of the events you’ve mentioned.” Neither he nor DHS disputed that Smith is in fact included on the emails in question.

Others in the Trump administration have already been outed for their ties to white nationalism. White House speechwriter Darren Beattie left the administration after CNN reported earlier this month that he had attended a conference popular with white nationalists in 2016. And The Washington Post reported last week that Peter Brimelow, the publisher of the white nationalist website VDare, had attended a party at the house of top White House economic adviser Larry Kudlow.

Alyssa Fisher is a news writer at the Forward. Email her at [email protected], or follow her on Twitter at @alyssalfisher

The Forward is free to read, but it isn’t free to produce

I hope you appreciated this article. Before you go, I’d like to ask you to please support the Forward.

Now more than ever, American Jews need independent news they can trust, with reporting driven by truth, not ideology. We serve you, not any ideological agenda.

At a time when other newsrooms are closing or cutting back, the Forward has removed its paywall and invested additional resources to report on the ground from Israel and around the U.S. on the impact of the war, rising antisemitism and polarized discourse.

Readers like you make it all possible. We’re in the middle of our Passover Fundraising Drive, and we have a very ambitious goal of $127,000 by April 21.

This is a great time to support independent Jewish journalism you rely on. Make a Passover gift today!

—  Rachel Fishman Feddersen, Publisher and CEO

Make a Passover Gift Today!

$90 $180

$360

Other amount