The Federal Bureau of Investigation is reportedly preparing to classify transgender individuals as a subset of “Nihilistic Violent Extremists” (NVEs), a new threat category created under the Trump administration, according to a September 18, 2025, report by independent journalist Ken Klippenstein.
Two anonymous national security officials told Klippenstein that the FBI is developing tools to identify transgender suspects and treat them under this label, which replaced the Biden-era “Anti-Authority and Anti-Government Violent Extremists” designation used for January 6 rioters.
The move comes in the wake of conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination on September 10, 2025, by sniper Tyler Robinson, whose partner was transgender. FBI Director Kash Patel, during a House Judiciary Committee hearing, stated the bureau is examining “the entire spider web” of attacks, including those by transgender individuals.
Critics argue this politicizes the tragedy to target the LGBTQ+ community, with Vice President JD Vance suggesting transgender people pose a “domestic terrorist threat.”
The Heritage Foundation, architect of Project 2025, petitioned the FBI on September 18 to create a “Transgender Ideology-Inspired Violent Extremism” (TIVE) category, defining it broadly to include beliefs that anti-trans policies “constitute violence” or threaten trans lives.
The petition warns of “TIVE cells” and calls for intelligence gathering, undercover operations, and network mapping against activists.
Heritage insists not all trans people are terrorists but claims their advocacy justifies violence against opponents.
Civil rights groups, including the ACLU and Human Rights Campaign, condemned the plans as discriminatory, noting data shows most domestic extremist murders are by right-wing actors, not trans individuals.
A senior intelligence official called it “cynical targeting” due to the shooter’s personal ties.
The term “Trantifa,” likening trans activists to Antifa, has gained traction in far-right circles.
As fears of a “new war on trans people” mount, the proposal could enable surveillance of advocacy, echoing Russia’s labeling of LGBTQ+ groups as extremists.
The FBI has not confirmed the plans, but Patel’s comments suggest escalation.
