FBI Director Christopher Wray told senators Tuesday there is an “elevated” terrorism risk in the US following Hamas’ Oct. 7 attack on Israel — including a possibility of homegrown supporters of the jihadist group engaging in violence.
“We assess that the actions of Hamas and its allies will serve as an inspiration the likes of which we haven’t seen since ISIS launched its so-called ‘caliphate’ several years ago,” Wray told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.
FBI Director Chris Wray warns Hamas terrorists may “conduct attacks here on our own soil.”
REMINDER: At least 172 individuals on the terror watchlist were encountered trying to enter the U.S. illegally in FY2023 — more than the previous six years combined. pic.twitter.com/XbKQyNCwGz
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 31, 2023
The FBI chief added that while “the terrorism threat has been elevated throughout 2023 … the ongoing war in the Middle East has raised the threat of an attack against Americans in the United States to a whole ‘nother level since the horrific terrorist attacks committed by Hamas against innocent people in Israel a few weeks ago.”
(…) Wray further cited recent failed attempts by Tehran-sponsored terrorist groups to carry out assassinations of “high-ranking current and former US government officials.”
FBI Director Chris Wray says Iran has made assassination attempts against “high-ranking current and former U.S. government officials, including right here on American soil.”
REMINDER: Biden has enriched the Iranian regime to the tune of $100 billion since taking office. pic.twitter.com/ILx3N1CfW9
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 31, 2023
Christine Abizaid
(Credit: public domain)
The “Threats to the Homeland Hearing” hearing also featured Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas and National Counterterrorism Center Director Christine Abizaid.
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) took Mayorkas to task for having employed a former spokeswoman for the Palestine Liberation Organization at his agency, who shared images of Hamas terrorists using paragliders and called for the “downfall” of Israel in personal social media posts.
DHS Sec. Mayorkas defends a DHS employee who posted — on October 7th — “F–k Apartheid Israel and any Jew that supports [Israel]” and asked if Israel was “ready for [their] downfall” pic.twitter.com/yKy5qY2qT2
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 31, 2023
“This is an asylum and immigration officer who is posting these, frankly, pro-genocidal slogans and images on the day that Israelis are being slaughtered in their beds,” Hawley told Mayorkas, referring to Nejwa Ali, an officer with the US Citizenship and Immigration Services.
“This person works for the Department of Homeland Security. Have you fired her?” Hawley asked.
In case you’re still wondering who’s freely crossing our border…
The U.S. Gov’t Hired A Pro-Hamas PLO Spokeswoman To Handle Asylum Claims
“F*** Israel, the government, and its military. Are you ready for your downfall?” DHS officer Nejwa Ali said. https://t.co/RJPsYbjrrF
— Tim Young (@TimRunsHisMouth) October 18, 2023
“To suggest that that is emblematic of the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security is despicable,” Mayorkas began to respond before being cut off.
MUST WATCH:
On October 7, a DHS employee posted an image of a Hamas paraglider with a machine gun flying into Israel.
Sen. @HawleyMO: “What have you done about this?”
MAYORKAS: “To suggest that that is emblematic of the men and women of the Department of Homeland Security is… pic.twitter.com/AekPZEYhOy
— RNC Research (@RNCResearch) October 31, 2023
Never forget what Biden said to all of his staff
NOBODY questioned or said NO to him!!! pic.twitter.com/APPuYx2sA5— Dan (@dannoIowa) October 31, 2023