Frank Gaffney facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Frank Gaffney
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Gaffney speaking at CPAC in 2018
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Frank J. Gaffney Jr.
April 5, 1953 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
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| Education | Georgetown University, Edmund A. Walsh School of Foreign Service (BS) Johns Hopkins University, Nitze School of Advanced International Studies (MA) |
| Occupation | Defense policy analyst |
| Known for | Counter-jihad, popular conspiracy theories, conservative political commentary |
| Title | Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (1983–87) |
| Awards | Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service (1987) Zionist Organization of America's Louis Brandeis Award (2003) |
Frank J. Gaffney Jr. was born on April 5, 1953. He is an American expert who studies defense policy. He is also the person who started the Center for Security Policy (CSP).
He created the CSP in 1988. He was its president until 2023. After that, he became the executive chairman. In the 1970s and 1980s, he worked for the United States government. He held several jobs, including a role in nuclear forces and arms control. He received an award called the Department of Defense Medal for Distinguished Public Service in 1987.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Frank Gaffney was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. His father was a lawyer and loved classical music. His grandfather was a city lawyer in Philadelphia.
Gaffney went to Georgetown University. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Foreign Service in 1975. Later, in 1978, he received a Master of Arts degree in International Studies. This was from Johns Hopkins University.
Career in Government
Gaffney started working for the government in the 1970s. He was an assistant to Senator Henry M. Jackson. From 1983 to 1987, he worked for the Reagan administration. He helped with nuclear forces and arms control policy.
In 1987, Gaffney was nominated for a higher position. He served as the acting Assistant Secretary of Defense for seven months. During this time, he was not included in important arms control talks. These talks were happening with the Soviet Union. He later left the Pentagon. After leaving, he criticized President Reagan's efforts to make an arms control agreement.
Center for Security Policy
In 1988, Gaffney started the Center for Security Policy (CSP). This group is based in Washington, D.C. It focuses on national security. The CSP studies what it sees as threats from jihadist groups to the United States.
Some news organizations have called the CSP "not very highly respected." Others have called it "disreputable." The group has faced criticism from many people. However, some political figures have used its reports. These include former President Donald Trump.
In 2016, the Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) called the CSP a "hate group." The SPLC says Gaffney is "one of America’s most notorious Islamophobes." Gaffney and the CSP are also seen as important parts of the counter-jihad movement. This movement opposes what it sees as a threat from Islamic extremism.
In 2016, presidential candidate Ted Cruz said he would name Frank Gaffney as an advisor. Cruz said Gaffney was a "serious thinker" focused on fighting jihadism. Gaffney stepped down as CSP president in 2023. He is now its executive chairman.
"Fax Wars" and Public Statements
In the 1990s, Gaffney became known for something called "fax wars." He would encourage his supporters to send many faxes to members of Congress. This was to share his views and criticize opponents.
For example, in 1995, Gaffney claimed a US official was weakening the country's nuclear readiness. A report said Gaffney "specializes in intensely personal attacks." His group used faxes a lot to attack people.
In 1997, Gaffney wrote that an event in Russia was a nuclear test. He said it showed Russia was breaking a treaty. However, scientists later confirmed it was a normal earthquake. A science magazine noted that Gaffney sent many faxes about this claim.
Other Activities
Gaffney also writes for the conservative website Newsmax. He wrote columns for The Washington Times and Jewish World Review. He also hosted a radio show and podcast called Secure Freedom Radio. This show featured guests like Newt Gingrich. The radio show became a TV show in 2020.
Gaffney is also a leader in the Committee on the Present Danger. He has been described as part of a "new red scare." This refers to strong anti-Chinese feelings in the United States.
Conspiracy Theories
The Anti-Defamation League says Gaffney "has spread many anti-Muslim conspiracy theories." They also say he has "undue influence" compared to others with similar ideas. Some people believe his tendency for conspiracy theories started earlier. They think it began when he felt blocked from a higher government job.
"Civilization Jihad" Theory
One of Gaffney's main theories is called "Civilization Jihad." This theory suggests there is a secret Muslim plan to take over America. This idea became well-known when a presidential candidate mentioned it in a debate.
According to the SPLC, Gaffney's beliefs come from a single source. This source is a document written by one person in 1991. The FBI found this document did not match other papers from the group it claimed to represent.
However, Gaffney sees this document as proof of a "massive Islamist conspiracy." He believes it shows a plan to destroy Western civilization from within. This is so that Islam can become victorious. Experts at Georgetown University found that this document was not widely accepted in the Arab world. But some politicians and anti-Islam commentators have used it often.
Specific Beliefs and Accusations
Gaffney has promoted several conspiracy theories. These include:
- He believes the logo of the US Missile Defense Agency is a secret sign. He thinks it shows the US is submitting to Islam. He says it looks like a mix of the Islamic crescent and star with a political campaign logo.
- He believes former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein was involved in the 1993 World Trade Center bombing. He also thinks Hussein was involved in the Oklahoma City bombing.
- He has tried to get a Republican strategist removed from a conference. He claims this person has ties to a Muslim group. Gaffney said this person was "working with the enemy." The board of directors of a conservative group called these claims "unfounded."
- He has opposed building large Muslim religious sites in the United States. This includes a community center near Ground Zero in New York City.
- He has accused a political aide of being a secret agent for a Muslim group. After this claim was repeated, several US senators dismissed it. They said such accusations were "pretty dangerous."
- He has made other accusations. These include saying that a former president is secretly Muslim. He also claimed that a general had "submitted to Sharia." He also said that some police officers were "directly tied to Hamas."
- He believes a certain international norm is a plan for a US military invasion of Israel.
- He believes Muslim enemies are hidden in plain sight. He thinks they are organizing through mainstream Muslim rights groups. He said Muslims "hollow out the structure of the civil society... for the purpose of creating conditions under which the jihad will succeed.”
Media Responses to His Views
Many news outlets have called Gaffney a conspiracy theorist. These include Reason magazine and The Washington Post. The Washington Post reported that Gaffney's views were "considered radioactive" by many Republicans. Both Democrats and many Republicans have called Gaffney a "conspiracy theorist."
Works
Films
Gaffney was an executive producer for a documentary film. It was called Islam vs. Islamists: Voices From the Muslim Center.
Images for kids
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Gaffney has asserted that the logo of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency is a coded signal showing the "official U.S. submission to Islam."
