In the first half of 2025, five notable terrorist attacks in the U.S., with four linked to the Gaza conflict or ISIS, have raised concerns among counterterrorism experts about the federal government’s shifting focus from preventing terrorism to mass deportation. Former DHS official Elizabeth Neumann warns of repeating past mistakes reminiscent of the 9/11 era, while law enforcement agencies issue warnings about rising extremist violence, particularly targeting the Jewish community. Despite claims from the DHS that terrorism prevention remains a priority, budget cuts to the FBI’s counterterrorism efforts and internal reallocations could undermine these efforts amid a backdrop of increased violence.
