After a recent legislative change, SWAT teams now have the authority to pursue suspects based solely on the broad and undefined notion of terrorism. This raises concerns about due process, especially when habeas corpus rights are put aside, which makes it difficult for individuals seeking justice to challenge their detention. The ambiguity surrounding what constitutes terrorism can lead to potential misuse of power against specific communities, particularly Arab Americans.

In the political climate following the Oklahoma City bombing, President Clinton argued that those who opposed his stringent anti-terrorism measures were essentially complicit in terrorism, suggesting that dissenters were aiding threats against national security. This rhetoric intensified the scrutiny on civil liberties, framing resistance to government action as unpatriotic, and creating a culture of fear where government policies could target individuals more freely under the guise of national safety.