Hispanic Lawmakers raised concerns about the enlistment of individuals in the military who believe in white supremacy. The Congressional Hispanic Caucus also included individuals who have connections with extremist groups. CBS News noted that the group of Hispanic lawmakers had requested a meeting with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, scheduled by the end of April, to discuss the issue.

Homeland Security Today noted that extremist movements pose many problems to society like spreading hate and intolerance, along with the engagement of significant and deadly violence.

Hispanic Lawmakers on Extremism

The concern of the Hispanic lawmakers was driven by the insurrection that happened in the U.S. Capitol on January 6, 2021. Forty-eight rioters during the scene are allegedly connected to extremist groups, while 36 of those who were arrested are current and former military members, according to a CBS analysis report.

Associated Press mentioned a report from Pentagon saying that Domestic extremist groups pose a threat to the U.S. Military. The reason behind this is that the said groups are recruiting service members in their ranks. Sometimes the recruited members enter the military to gain combat experience.

"Our military should not be a training ground for white supremacists to execute their goals," said the letter exclusively obtained by CBS. The Letter furthered that individuals from these groups have "the goals related to their extreme violent beliefs."

The Hispanic Caucus members also pointed out that the Defense Department instructions to stop the active promotion of their officers to "participating in supremacists, extremist, or criminal gang doctrine," is not enough.

"In addition to potential violence, white supremacy and white nationalism pose a threat to good order and discipline in the military," said the Pentagon report.

ADL cited certain examples of how extremists in ranks raise threats like physical harm to service members, military equipment threats, and security breaches. ADL furthered that extremists also threaten the recruitment efforts among minority groups because these communities do not consider enlisting once they believe that the military is the home of extremists.

Hispanic Caucus members cited a 2019 survey suggesting that one-third of active duty groups have claimed that they have "personally witnessed examples of white nationalism" within their ranks.

Pentagon on Extremists

The Military has been aware of the small numbers of white supremacists or extremists within their ranks.

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has made fighting extremism a priority. The retired four-star general shared with Senate Armed Services Committee that he would collaborate with the service leaders to set the "right climate."

On February 5, Austin ordered all commanders and supervisors from every level of the military to stand down by early April to discuss extremisms within their ranks.

"I expect for the numbers [of extremists] to be small, but quite frankly, they'll probably be a little larger," said Austin.

Hispanic lawmakers applauded Austin's movement, where Pentagon spokesperson John Kirby coined it as the "initial step" in addressing the issue. "The events of January 6 served as a wake-up call for this department," said Kirby.

WATCH: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin orders military-wide effort to address extremism in the ranks - from CBS News