FBI Director Christopher Wray expressed growing concerns about the possibility of a coordinated terrorist attack in the United States during a Senate Appropriations subcommittee hearing on Tuesday. The subcommittee, which oversees Commerce, Justice, Science, and related agencies, was convened to discuss the Justice Department’s budget request for fiscal year 2025, which includes an $11.3 billion allocation for the FBI—$661 million more than the previous year.
Wray drew parallels to a recent attack by the Islamic State in Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) at a concert hall in Russia, emphasizing the heightened threat environment in the U.S. since the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel. “Our most immediate concern has been that individuals or small groups will draw a twisted inspiration from the events in the Middle East to carry out attacks here at home,” Wray stated. “But now, on top of that, increasingly concerning is the potential for a coordinated attack here in the homeland, not unlike the ISIS-K attack we saw at the Russian concert hall back in March.”
In that March 22 attack, terrorists identified as Tajik nationals stormed Moscow’s Crocus City concert hall with automatic weapons, resulting in 137 fatalities and over 180 injuries. The FBI director highlighted the threat of similar attacks in the U.S., noting that foreign terrorist organizations have been calling for action against the U.S. and its allies since the conflict in the Middle East intensified.
Attorney General Merrick Garland, also speaking before the Senate subcommittee, echoed Wray’s concerns. “I am worried about the possibility of a terrorist attack in the country after October 7,” Garland said. He underscored the Justice Department’s priority in monitoring threats, particularly those against faith communities, and mentioned the “terrible explosion of anti-Semitic threats” that has occurred since the Hamas attack. Garland also noted a significant rise in threats against Muslim and Arab-American communities.
Wray pointed out the elevated threat level to the Jewish community in the U.S., which has seen a 60% increase in hate crimes in the first four months following the October 7 attack. He stressed that the Jewish community is uniquely targeted by various types of terrorist organizations, both foreign and domestic.
The Senate subcommittee hearing also touched on the potential consequences of budget cuts to the FBI. Wray warned that such cuts would have “very significant” consequences, impacting the agency’s ability to respond to the escalating threats.
Expanded Coverage:
