The U.S. Department of Homeland Security has issued a warning in its 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment, stating that the terrorism threat environment in the country will remain high in the coming year. This heightened threat level is attributed to a variety of factors, including potential violent extremist reactions to domestic sociopolitical developments, particularly surrounding the 2024 election cycle, as well as international events such as the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.
According to the report, lone offenders and small groups continue to pose the greatest threat, with foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS and al Qa’ida maintaining their intent to conduct or inspire attacks within the United States. The Department of Homeland Security expressed particular concern about both domestic and foreign violent extremists who may seek to exploit the election cycle or the Israel-Hamas conflict as justification for carrying out attacks on American soil.
Looking ahead to 2025, the threat of violence from U.S.-based violent extremists, including domestic violent extremists and homegrown violent extremists inspired by foreign terrorist organizations, is expected to remain high. The report highlights several attacks carried out by domestic violent extremists and disrupted by law enforcement, as well as attacks related to the Israel-Hamas conflict perpetrated by homegrown violent extremists.
The report also notes that violent extremists from various ideological backgrounds have been incited to target communities of different faiths in the United States. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security warns of the potential for state actors to use subversive tactics to influence and divide the American public, with the People’s Republic of China specifically targeting political dissidents and journalists within the country.
In light of the upcoming 2024 election cycle, the report emphasizes the attractiveness of the election as a target for adversaries, with concerns raised about the potential for violence aimed at instilling fear among voters, candidates, and election workers. Nation-state-aligned foreign malign influence actors are also expected to continue targeting democratic processes to affect voter preferences and undermine confidence in U.S. institutions and the electoral process.
Furthermore, the Department of Homeland Security warns of threats to the integrity of critical infrastructure from cyber and physical attacks by countries like China, Russia, and Iran. The report specifically highlights China as the greatest economic security threat due to its aggressive use of anticompetitive and coercive policies, as well as its theft of U.S. intellectual property and technology.
Overall, the 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment underscores the complex and evolving nature of security threats facing the United States, urging vigilance and preparedness in the face of potential terrorist attacks and cyber threats.
