FBI Director Christopher Wray told senators Tuesday that there is an “elevated” risk of terrorism in the United States following Hamas’ attack on Israel on Oct. 7, including the possibility that local supporters of the jihadist group could participate in violent acts.
“We assess that the actions of Hamas and its allies will serve as an inspiration the likes of which we have not seen since ISIS launched its so-called ‘caliphate’ several years ago,” Wray told the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. .
The FBI chief added that while “the terrorist threat has risen throughout 2023… the ongoing war in the Middle East has raised the threat of an attack against Americans in the United States to a completely different level since the horrible terrorist attacks committed by Hamas.” against innocent people in Israel a few weeks ago.”
Wray’s testimony followed widespread demonstrations in major U.S. cities and on college campuses, during which pro-Palestinian activists expressed support for Hamas.
The terrorist group carried out a multi-pronged surprise attack against Israel on October 7, killing more than 1,400 people, including at least 33 Americans, injuring thousands and taking more than 200 hostages.
FBI Director Christopher Wray briefed Congress on Tuesday about the “elevated” domestic terrorist threats following the Hamas attack on Israel. AFP via Getty Images “We also cannot and do not rule out the possibility that Hamas or another foreign terrorist organization could exploit the current situation.” conflict to carry out attacks here on our own soil,” Wray said.REUTERS
“We also cannot and do not rule out the possibility that Hamas or another foreign terrorist organization could take advantage of the current conflict to carry out attacks here on our own soil,” the FBI director warned.
“This is not the time to panic,” Wray told Sen. Rick Scott (R-Fla.) when asked about the threat facing Americans. “We should not stop going about our daily lives (going to schools, places of worship, etc.), but we should be vigilant.”
The FBI director also noted that foreign terrorist organizations such as Al Qaeda have also called for attacks on U.S. soil, in addition to rocket and drone attacks carried out by Iranian-backed jihadists against U.S. military bases in Iraq and Syria.
Wray’s testimony comes amid widespread protests in major U.S. cities and on college campuses, in which pro-Palestinian protesters have expressed support for Hamas.Getty Images
Wray further cited recent failed attempts by Tehran-sponsored terrorist groups to carry out assassinations of “current and former senior U.S. government officials.”
The Secretary of Homeland Security, Alejandro Mayorkas, and the director of the National Counterterrorism Center, Christine Abizaid, also participated in the hearing on “Threats to the Homeland.”
Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Mo.) chastised Mayorkas for hiring a former Palestine Liberation Organization spokesperson into his agency, who shared images of Hamas terrorists using paragliders and called for the “fall” of Israel in his personal social networks. publications.
“This is an asylum and immigration official 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, a Citizen Services official. and United States Affairs. Immigration services.
“This person works for the Department of Homeland Security. Have you fired her? Hawley asked.
“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 interrupted.
Both Wray and Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas used their opening statements to ask Congress to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA).REUTERS
“When Israel has been invaded and Jewish students are barricaded in the libraries of this country and cannot be escorted out because they are threatened with death,” Hawley responded, “you have employees who are celebrating the genocide. And you’re saying it’s despicable of me to ask the question. Have they fired her?
“That individual has been placed on administrative leave,” Mayorkas responded, exchanging glances with Hawley. “The person was hired in 2019…I cannot speak to an ongoing personnel matter.”
“Isn’t this enough to fire her?” Hawley asked. “That’s what you’re telling me.”
“That’s not what I’m saying,” Mayorkas interjected.
“She’s still on your payroll as we sit here today,” Hawley said. “Did you adjudicate any cases involving Israelis seeking asylum in this country?”
Mayorkas declined to respond further.
“Frankly, Mr. Secretary, I think your actions are despicable and I think the fact that you are not willing to give answers to this committee is absolutely atrocious,” Hawley concluded.
“What I found despicable is the implication that this tremendously hateful language might actually be emblematic of the feelings of the 260,000 men and women of the Department of Homeland Security,” Mayorkas responded.
“Senator Hawley takes a contradictory approach to me on this question, and may not know my own background; Maybe he doesn’t know that I am the son of a Holocaust survivor; You may not know that my mother lost almost her entire family to the Nazis.
“And that is why I consider your adversarial tone to be completely out of place. I consider it disrespectful to me and my heritage. And I don’t expect an apology. But I did want to say what I just articulated.”
Mayorkas also declined to answer whether the Biden administration would revoke the visas of foreign students at American universities that celebrate the deaths of Israelis.
Hawley led a resolution that passed the Senate last week condemning Hamas and anti-Semitic student groups that praised the terrorist group’s attacks.
Both Wray and Mayorkas used their opening statements to ask Congress to renew Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which House Republicans have expressed concerns about.
In a January 2022 letter to Wray, then-House Judiciary Committee Ranking Member Jim Jordan (R-Ohio) cited “apparent widespread violations” of privacy rules in conducting the surveillance, according to a 2020 memo from the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court, among other concerns. .
The letter was co-signed by now-Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), who has not yet indicated how the House will address the issue.
However, Jordan, in a Judiciary Committee hearing with the FBI director earlier this year, made clear that “Republicans will oppose FISA reauthorization in its current form.”
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