In the wake of the ISIS-inspired terrorist car-ramming attack in New Orleans on New Year’s Day that killed 15 people and wounded 35, including two Israelis, the House Committee on Homeland Security’s Subcommittee on Counterterrorism, Law Enforcement and Intelligence released a report on Wednesday about the rise of terrorism in America.
The 14-page “Terror Threat Snapshot” highlights the “persistent terror threat to America, the West and the world from foreign jihadist networks.”
There were more than 50 instances of jihadist terrorism in 30 states within the last four years, the report notes. Most involved attempts to provide material support to terrorist organizations, such as when a man tried to join Hezbollah and lied to the FBI about his intentions. Unlike in New Orleans, most of these attempts were thwarted.
The report also outlined cases of international terrorism and set out more than 35 developments from Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis alone, most of them surrounding the ongoing conflict with Israel after, and including, the Hamas-led Oct. 7 terrorist attack on southern Israel.
“The New Orleans terrorist attack was a stark reminder that the terror threat to America is alive and persistent,” said committee chairman Mark Green (R-Tenn.). “The House Homeland Security Committee highlighted this fact back in October, and, sadly, Americans have witnessed major escalations in these threats just in the past three months.
“Emboldened by the national security blunders of the past four years, foreign terrorist organizations and jihadist networks abroad remain committed to recruiting and radicalizing individuals on U.S. soil,” he said.
“Make no mistake—all of the lights are still blinking red,” Green added. “As we remember and honor the 14 lives lost at the hands of terrorism on New Year’s Day, we must also renew our commitment to securing the homeland.”