Overview of US threats It was a daunting ordeal. But it was familiar to Trump in his second term.

During his first term as president, Donald Trump saw the culmination of a violent civil war in Syria. The resurgence of Islamic State activity and an increase in ISIS-inspired attacks both abroad and on U.S. soil.

Eight years later, many of these demons have returned.

in the past eight weeks Syrian rebels launch lightning strikes Destroy control of the country and its capital. As a result, longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad fled to Russia to seek refuge. The same is true of Trump’s first term. Instability in the Middle East raises new questions about what role the United States should play in Syria. This comes amid concerns that inaction will open a further power vacuum in Syria. This makes it ripe for exploitation by Islamic groups. State armed groups and other terrorist groups

And on Wednesday, U.S. authorities scrambled to investigate and respond to two attacks in New Orleans and Las Vegas. Even though thousands of miles apart But both are being investigated as acts of terrorism. This is a clear indicator that the threat from local extremism remains as prevalent as ever.

Before Trump’s second term in office The violence—and the unexpected collapse of Syria’s authoritarian regime—raises new questions about how the United States will proceed.

Bomb-making materials found in New Orleans AIRBNB that may be linked to Bourbon Street terrorists: report

Law enforcement officers from multiple agencies worked at the scene on Bourbon Street. After at least 10 people died when someone allegedly drove into a crowd in the early hours of New Year’s Day on January 1, 2025, in New Orleans, Louisiana, one person was injured. Dozens more people after the suspect in a rental pickup truck allegedly drove around. Barriers and through the New Year’s reveling crowds on Bourbon Street The suspect then got out of his car and opened fire on police officers and was later killed by law enforcement officers. (Michael DeMocker/Getty Images)

Alternatives for Trump

As for Trump, has objected to the idea of ​​bringing in U.S. troops Long involved in foreign wars, in 2019 he ordered the complete withdrawal of all troops in northern Syria.

He reiterated that view in a post last month on Truth Social, saying the United States should have “no involvement” in the situation in Syria.

“Let it play out,” he said.

It is not yet clear whether this week’s deadly attacks may have affected Trump’s decision. Fourteen people were killed in New Orleans on Wednesday morning by Texan and U.S. Army veteran Shamsud-Din Jabbar. who drove a hired pickup truck from Houston to Bourbon Street. Drive past the crowd gathered outside a popular bar to get to celebrate new year Jabbar himself was fatally shot by police.

FBI officials said Jabbar, who had an Islamic State flag on a rented vehicle, It was “100% inspired by ISIS” in the terrorist attack. Although it is unclear whether he has any legitimate ties to the group.

Jabbar pledged allegiance to the Islamic State group. and is believed to have joined this group last summer. He was also seen on surveillance video planting two bombs in a refrigerator at the corner of Bourbon and Orleans streets, officials said. and another nearby intersection Although both teams were later safe by the bombing team.

In another case, the FBI said they are investigating an explosion in Las Vegas that occurred in a Tesla Cybertruck outside the Trump Hotel in Las Vegas. that it is an act that may cause terrorism

The suspect in this case is Matthew Alan Liversberger. Formerly a member of the United States Army’s elite Special Forces unit. before the explosion And FBI agents raided a home in Colorado Springs on Thursday. They believe they believe it is related to the case.

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Investigators searched a rental house in Shamsud-Din. Jabbar used in New Orleans, Louisiana on Thursday, January 2, 2024. (Kat Ramirez for Fox News Digital)

If Trump chooses to maintain long-term opposition to U.S. intervention in “foreign wars,” there are other options. That he can do to try to quell violent attacks in the country. This may include cracking down on immigration. It is a policy that Trump and Republicans in Congress have long embraced. This is to keep potential threat actors from crossing the border.

In fact The Department of Homeland Security told reporters in June that it had identified more than 400 migrants from Central Asia and other countries. that were smuggled into the United States by ISIS-linked smuggling groups over the past three years causing new chaos Arrest and designation “A matter of concern”

DHS officials said arrests are the first priority. Reported by NBCIt was made out of “an abundance of caution” and noted at the time that they did not identify a credible threat to the United States. by immigrants who may just be trying to find a way to cross into the United States.

However, border crackdown may not be enough to solve the problem. This is especially complicated by the role of lone wolf threat actors and online radicalization.

At least 10 people were reported dead after a tractor driver crashed into a group of people on Bourbon Street. (WVUE)

Ubiquitous Threat

The FBI is heavily focused on the risk of terrorism posed by domestic and domestic violent extremist groups. As stated in the report Latest “Global Threats to the Homeland”

The report states that a small group Or are these individuals most at risk to national security? They often use easily accessible weapons, such as guns and cars, to attack so-called “Soft targets” or large gatherings of civilians in accessible locations

The “greatest and most immediate international terrorist threat to the homeland” is individuals who reside primarily in the United States and carry out actions inspired by foreign terrorist organizations, such as ISIS, which is an enforcement agency. use the law But not according to clear orders, say.

In early December, the FBI and other agencies Warning of increased risk of vehicle attacks by lone wolf offenders during the holidays. They stated in the shared message board that the person making the threat had “Planned and executed attacks on holiday targets” in previous years, with targets likely including public places with “Perceived lower level security” which organizes large gatherings

The threat just doesn’t go away. Trump’s first term as president Many of these attacks have been found to have been carried out by people who have pledged allegiance to ISIS or other jihadist groups. Even if they do not act according to the direction of the group. These individuals are responsible for the 2016 Pulse nightclub shooting, the 2017 New York City truck attack, the 2017 machete attack at a Middle Eastern restaurant in Columbus, Ohio, and other acts of violence. many others

Vehicle attacks are also on the rise: Since 2014, there have been at least 16 vehicle crash attacks in the United States and Europe carried out by individuals practicing jihad, according to a report. think tank new america–

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And since 2020, the number of domestic terrorism investigations conducted by the FBI has more than doubled. This is an alarming rate that indicates both the scope and complexity of the growing problem.

Speaking to reporters at a news conference Thursday, an FBI official said the suspect in the New Orleans attack, Shamsud-Din Jabbar, was “100% inspired by ISIS.”

“First of all, let me be very clear on this issue,” Christopher Raia, the FBI’s assistant director of counterterrorism, told reporters. “This is an act of terrorism. It was a premeditated and heinous act.”