The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has released its 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment, highlighting the persistent threat of domestic and foreign terrorism within the United States. The report aims to inform both the public and DHS partners about potential threats to public safety and security, helping federal, state, and local agencies prepare for evolving challenges.
According to Secretary of Homeland Security Alejandro N. Mayorkas, "The Homeland Security Assessment provides an important overview of the dynamic and evolving threat landscape, illustrating just how varied and challenging the threats we confront are." He emphasized that collaboration with various partners is crucial in maintaining national security.
The assessment outlines several key areas of concern:
1. **Public Safety and Security**: The threat level from terrorism is expected to remain high due to factors such as responses to domestic sociopolitical developments, including the 2024 election cycle, and international events like the Israel-Hamas conflict. Lone offenders and small groups pose significant risks, while foreign terrorist organizations like ISIS and al Qa’ida continue their efforts to inspire attacks in the U.S.
2. **Illegal Drugs**: Transnational and domestic criminal actors smuggling illegal drugs into the U.S. present a lethal threat. DHS has increased resources to combat this issue, resulting in a significant decline in overdose deaths over the past year. However, fentanyl remains a major concern.
3. **Influence Operations**: State actors are using subversive tactics to undermine confidence in U.S. institutions by targeting minorities, dissidents, and journalists.
4. **Border Security**: Migrant encounters have decreased significantly since early 2024 following new regulations but some individuals with criminal connections may still attempt exploitation.
5. **Critical Infrastructure**: Domestic and foreign adversaries are likely to target critical infrastructure through cyberattacks or physical means with China, Russia, and Iran identified as primary threats.
6. **Economic Security**: Adversaries such as China are expected to continue using non-market policies and economic espionage against U.S interests.
DHS's operational components are actively working alongside federal partners to address these threats through various initiatives such as screening at borders for national security risks; enhancing information sharing agreements internationally; seizing illicit drugs; conducting training programs on cybersecurity; providing resources for preventing targeted violence; among others.
For more detailed information on these assessments or how communities can protect themselves from targeted violence or terrorism-related incidents please visit DHS.gov where you will find access links directly leading towards complete reports regarding current homeland threat assessments available online today!
