US on alert over possible ‘lone wolf attacks’ during July 4th celebrations
A joint bulletin by the FBI, DHS, and others warned that lone actors and small groups pose the top terror threat to Macy’s July 4 fireworks event.
Federal officials have warned about potential ‘lone wolf terror attacks’ targeting July 4 Independence Day celebrations in the US, especially amid heightened tensions following recent military action in the Middle East.
According to Trump administration officials, tensions escalated on June 22 after the US military bombed three key nuclear sites in Iran during its conflict with Israel. The war ended with a ceasefire agreement on June 23, which was fully implemented by June 24.
The FBI, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and other law enforcement agencies issued a joint bulletin in late June warning that “the most significant terrorism threat facing the Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks stems from lone offenders and small groups of individuals seeking to commit acts of violence,” CNN reported. The bulletin added, “These individuals are often motivated by a broad range of racial, ethnic, political, religious, anti-government, societal, or personal grievances.”
The threat, according to the bulletin, is not limited to New York City, as other large gatherings across the country could also be potential targets.
In response, DHS told Fox News, "We are enhancing security measures and coordinating intelligence-sharing to proactively address potential risks, including those from lone wolf actors. At this time, DHS is not aware of any specific, credible, threats to Fourth of July celebrations."
New York Governor Kathy Hochul said she has been "briefed consistently over the previous few weeks on the current threat landscape given heightened tensions around the world." She added, "Our federal partners reiterated yesterday that lone wolf actors remain the greatest potential threat including during the upcoming July 4th holiday. Keeping New Yorkers safe is my top priority — especially as families gather to celebrate this holiday weekend."
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The governor also stated, “New York's law enforcement personnel have already been in an increased alert posture following the recent conflict in the Middle East, but at my direction, State Police will have an increased presence at large events throughout the state,” and that her office “will be closely coordinating with local and federal law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of all involved.”
She further noted, “National Guard personnel also remain deployed at major transportation hubs, as well as at key bridges and tunnels within New York City. We are also actively monitoring social media activity and continue to be on high alert for any cyberthreats.”
A separate DHS bulletin dated June 22 warned about the potential for violence linked to US-Iran tensions, stating: “Iran also has a long-standing commitment to target US Government officials it views as responsible for the death of an Iranian military commander killed in January 2020.”
It added, "The likelihood of violent extremists in the Homeland independently mobilising to violence in response to the conflict would likely increase if Iranian leadership issued a religious ruling calling for retaliatory violence against targets in the Homeland." DHS also noted that “Multiple recent Homeland terrorist attacks have been motivated by anti-Semitic or anti-Israel sentiment, and the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict could contribute to US-based individuals plotting additional attacks.”
San Francisco's fireworks show seen as ‘a broad set of soft targets’
Federal officials have also raised concerns about potential threats at San Francisco’s July 4 fireworks display, which is expected to attract nearly 200,000 attendees.
A "Joint Special Event Threat Assessment" bulletin obtained by ABC News – prepared by the FBI, Department of Homeland Security, Coast Guard San Francisco, and the Northern California Regional Intelligence Center – described the event as presenting "a broad set of soft targets ... for a mass casualty attack."
Authorities are also worried about the risk of copycat attacks following the New Year’s Day terror incident in New Orleans, in which Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a Texas native influenced by ISIS online propaganda, drove a truck into a crowd on Bourbon Street, killing 14 civilians and injuring 57 in the early hours of January 1.
Michael Verden, founder and CEO of The Lake Forest Group, a security consulting firm, told Fox News Digital, "Due to the Iran conflict, the Department of Homeland Security has a National Threat Advisory System, and as of June 22, we are at a heightened threat environment. That level will stay in place until September 22, and it could be extended based on the conflict in Iran."
Verden, a former US Secret Service agent, stated that due to the elevated threat level, additional security and safety precautions would be implemented at certain July 4 events and for holiday travel.
Recalling a previous tragedy, Verden pointed to the July 4, 2022 mass shooting in Highland Park, Illinois, where seven people were killed. Although authorities have not officially classified that shooting as terrorism, Verden said the event heightened awareness around the risk of bad actors targeting open-air gatherings.
He further warned that in more urban environments, attackers could exploit subterranean areas such as subways, or even stage assaults “from the water.”
According to Verden, both public and private organisers of Independence Day events should work closely with local law enforcement to ensure safety throughout the holiday
