The 

terrorism threat environment in the U.S. is expected to remain high throughout 2025 due to a convergence of domestic and international factors. The primary threats come from lone offenders and small groups, domestic sociopolitical polarization, and the enduring intent of foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs) like ISIS and al-Qa’ida to inspire or conduct attacks. 

Key Threat Assessments for 2025

• Overall Threat Level: U.S. intelligence agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Office of the Director of National Intelligence (ODNI), indicate that the threat to the homeland remains high and complex.
• Primary Tactics: Lone offenders and small, loosely connected groups continue to pose the greatest and most lethal threat in the U.S. as they can mobilize quickly with little to no warning.
• Ideological Diversity: The threat landscape is characterized by a “salad bar of ideologies,” including right-wing, left-wing, and jihadist motivations, with perpetrators often combining various grievances.
• Motivating Events: Domestic sociopolitical developments, particularly the 2024 election cycle, and international conflicts like the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict and the Iran-Israel conflict, are expected to fuel extremist violence in the U.S..
• Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs): Despite territorial losses overseas, groups like the Islamic State (IS) and al-Qa’ida (AQ) maintain the intent to conduct or inspire attacks and use online propaganda to encourage individuals to act.
• Critical Infrastructure: Domestic and foreign adversaries, including nation-states like the People’s Republic of China and Russia, are expected to continue targeting U.S. critical infrastructure via cyber and physical attacks.
• Global Hotspots: Africa, particularly the Sahel region, remains the most active theater for Salafi-jihadist organizations, with the UN warning that their growth is a “growing global threat”. 

Notable Incidents and Trends in 2025 (U.S.)

• New Orleans Attack: A January 1 vehicle-ramming attack, inspired by the Islamic State, killed 14 people.
• Political Violence: The first half of 2025 saw an increase in left-wing terrorist incidents, which for the first time in over 30 years outnumbered those from the far right, although right-wing violence is expected to remain a persistent concern. Targeted attacks and assassinations of judges, public officials, and other high-profile figures by domestic violent extremists are also anticipated.
• Public Safety: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) has warned that public gatherings, such as concerts, sports venues, and houses of worship, remain attractive and accessible targets for attacks. 

For official, updated information, the public can monitor the National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS) Bulletins from the Department of Homeland Security. The public is encouraged to report any suspicious activity to local law enforcement or an FBI Field Office. 

The 

terrorism threat environment in the U.S. is expected to remain high in 2025 due to a convergence of domestic and international factors. Lone offenders and small groups pose the greatest immediate threat, while both domestic and foreign terrorist organizations continue their intent to inspire or conduct attacks. 

Key Threat Assessments for 2025

According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) 2025 Homeland Threat Assessment and the U.S. Intelligence Community’s Annual Threat Assessment, the primary concerns include: 

• Domestic Violent Extremism (DVE): The U.S. faces a persistent threat from DVEs across various ideological spectrums, including racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists (RMVEs), anti-government/anti-authority violent extremists (AGAAVEs), and left-wing violent extremists. Violent extremist responses to sociopolitical developments within the U.S., particularly following the 2024 election cycle, are a major concern. In 2025, left-wing terrorist attacks were on pace to outnumber those from the far-right for the first time in over 30 years, though right-wing violence could return to previous high levels.
• Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs): Groups like the Islamic State (IS), al-Qaeda (AQ), and their affiliates maintain an enduring intent to conduct or inspire attacks in the Homeland. The fall of the Assad government in Syria creates opportunities for ISIS to exploit security vacuums, potentially enhancing its ability to inspire and direct plots internationally.
• Geopolitical Conflicts: International events, such as the Israel-Hamas conflict and the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine, contribute to a heightened threat environment globally and domestically, potentially motivating violent extremist responses. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran specifically raised concerns for potential cyberattacks, physical violence, and hate crimes in the U.S..
• Targeting of Critical Infrastructure: Domestic and foreign adversaries are expected to continue targeting U.S. critical infrastructure (e.g., energy, financial, healthcare) through physical and cyber attacks.
• Emerging Technologies: Terrorist groups are leveraging new technologies, including generative artificial intelligence, to facilitate propaganda, recruitment, and attack planning, which frees up resources for physical operations. 

Notable Incidents in 2025

The year 2025 has seen several significant terrorist incidents globally and domestically: 

• A vehicle-ramming attack in New Orleans, Louisiana, on New Year’s Day killed 14 people and injured 57, perpetrated by an individual inspired by the Islamic State.
• A car bomb attack on a fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California, in May killed one person and injured four others.
• Attacks by various FTOs, including Al-Shabaab, the Islamic State – Khorasan Province (ISKP), and the Balochistan Liberation Army, have occurred in Africa, the Middle East, and Asia, resulting in numerous casualties. 

Authorities continue to emphasize the importance of public vigilance and encourage reporting of suspicious activity to local law enforcement or federal agencies like the FBI or DHS. More information can be found on the official DHS Homeland Threat Assessment or the National Terrorism Advisory System bulletins.