The current threat of both foreign and domestic terrorism in the U.S. remains high, according to the 2024 and 2025 Homeland Threat Assessments. Domestically, the primary risk comes from lone offenders or small groups of extremists, often motivated by sociopolitical developments such as the 2024 election cycle or international conflicts like the ongoing Israel-Hamas war. These extremists tend to target ethnic and religious minorities, government officials, and ideological opponents, with a notable focus on soft targets like houses of worship and public spaces.

Foreign terrorist groups such as ISIS and al-Qaida continue to pose threats, despite counterterrorism efforts weakening their capabilities. These groups are seeking to rebuild overseas and maintain global networks that could potentially inspire attacks on U.S. soil. Additionally, state actors such as China, Russia, and Iran use tactics like misinformation and influence operations to exploit social divisions and undermine U.S. institutions, adding complexity to the security landscape.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) emphasizes that while domestic extremists are the most immediate threat, the resurgence of foreign terrorist activity, particularly tied to Middle East unrest, is also a growing concern. Both foreign and domestic actors are also increasingly focusing on U.S. critical infrastructure, seeing it as a vulnerable target for advancing their agendas.

https://www.dhs.gov/news/2024/10/02/dhs-2025-homeland-threat-assessment-indicates-threat-domestic-and-foreign-terrorism
https://www.dhs.gov/sites/default/files/2023-09/23_0913_ia_23-333-ia_u_homeland-threat-assessment-2024_508C_V6_13Sep23.pdf
https://www.waterisac.org/portal/dhs-releases-2024-homeland-threat-assessment-emphasizes-continued-high-risk-foreign-and
https://www.stripes.com/theaters/us/2024-06-17/homeland-security-foreign-terrorist-threats-14215198.html