Terrorism Threats

The United States faces evolving terrorism threats that span both international extremist organizations and domestic violent extremists. Federal agencies, including the FBI and the Department of Defense, work continuously to identify, investigate, and counter these threats through law enforcement, intelligence gathering, and military operations. Understanding how the government detects and responds to terrorism helps explain the security measures and policies that protect American citizens.

Domestic Terrorism Threats

Domestic terrorism—ideologically driven violent crimes committed by individuals or groups within the United States—has emerged as a significant and persistent threat. In recent years, the federal government has identified domestic terrorism as surpassing international terrorism in terms of the most significant threat to American security. Attacks perpetrated by white supremacist and anti-government extremist groups have dramatically increased, with the number of domestic terrorist plots and attacks rising significantly since 2015. Learn how the FBI investigates domestic terrorism cases to understand the law enforcement response to evolving extremist threats.

International Terrorism and Federal Response

International terrorism remains a critical concern, with terrorist organizations maintaining cells across multiple regions. The federal government employs a multi-agency approach that includes military operations, intelligence activities, law enforcement coordination, and efforts to disrupt terrorist financing networks. Discover how the Pentagon fights terrorism through military strategy and coordination with allied nations, while the FBI and Department of Homeland Security focus on domestic threat prevention and investigation.