Fourth Of July Terror Threats: Homeland Security Announces High Alert Across United States
Increased terror activity around the world in recent years has forced the United States’ Homeland Security Committee to increase awareness of potential terror threats around the clock. Now, the chairman of the House of Representatives, Michael McCaul, has announced that American citizens are potentially at risk following the threat of terror activity leading up to next week’s Fourth of July celebrations.
Speaking to Fox News Sunday, the Texas lawmaker discussed how increased “chatter” over social media indicates potential terror threats targeting the Independence Day celebrations. The use of social media by terrorist organizations has sky rocketed, as extremists utilize websites such as Twitter and Facebook to target and recruit individuals to their cause, he explained, “This is a new generation of terrorists using the Internet in a very savvy way to attack the West.”
McCaul described his concerns surrounding the social media activity surrounding Fourth of July celebrations, stating, “I am extremely concerned about the way these Syrian, ISIS recruiters can use the internet at lightning speeds to recruit followers in the United States, and then activate them to do whatever they want to do.”
The chairman stated that representatives of Islamic State (ISIS) had expressly called for a terror attack during the Fourth of July holiday, aligning with the month dedicated to the fourth pillar of Islam, Ramadan, following similar incidents in Tunisia, France and Kuwait that have seen almost 100 fatalities.
Potential terror threats have galvanized federal authorities to begin preparation for any dangerous activity during the holiday, with law enforcement officials nationwide on the look out for suspicious activity across the country. Despite the caution however, an FBI intelligence bulletin stated that no direct, credible threat has been made as of yet, although knowledge of U.S. based extremists leads the bureau to remain on high alert during the busy Fourth of July period.
“I think given these confluence of events we’re being on the cautious side here to warn the public to remain vigilant – to enjoy the Fourth of July parades, but remain vigilant during these celebrations,” McCaul explained.
With recent terror attacks resulting in the deaths of 40 innocent bystanders at a coastal resort in Tunisia still fresh in the minds of U.S. citizens, gearing up to enjoying the Independence Day celebrations, Jeh Johnson, Department of Homeland Security Secretary, emphasizes the importance of law enforcement preparing for any potential threats that may be to come.
[Image credit: Darko Vojinovic via Associated Press]
