Osher Lifelong Learning Institute
2025-2026 Membership is now Open for Registration.
Domestic Terrorism and Violent Extremist Activities
Speaker
Professor Robert Ciaffa
Coordinator
Michael Lipman
Using real-life examples from the Unabomber to January 6th, this lecture will explore the characteristics, motivations and tactics of individuals and groups engaged in violent extremist activities and the context in which they operate. It will discuss the difficulties of labeling (hate crime, terrorist, freedom fighter, lone wolf), and the potential for criminal investigation and indictment under federal law.
Speaker Bio
Presenter: Osher member Robert Ciaffa is a former federal prosecutor with over 25 years’ experience at the Department of Justice. As an Assistant U.S. Attorney, he investigated and prosecuted a wide variety of criminal offenses, many involving transnational organized crime. He also served as the DOJ Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in both Rome and Mexico City. He is now an adjunct professor at the University of San Diego School of Law. He earned a JD and Masters in foreign service (JD/ MSFS) from Georgetown University.
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