DHS Issues Bulletin Warning Of ‘Heightened Threat Environment’ Through November

On Tuesday, the Department of Homeland Security issued a bulletin warning of a “heightened threat environment” through November.

“The United States remains in a heightened threat environment, as noted in the previous Bulletin, and several recent attacks have highlighted the dynamic and complex nature of the threat environment,” the bulletin states. “In the coming months, we expect the threat environment to become more dynamic as several high-profile events could be exploited to justify acts of violence against a range of possible targets.”

“These targets could include public gatherings, faith-based institutions, schools, racial and religious minorities, government facilities and personnel, U.S. critical infrastructure, the media, and perceived ideological opponents,” the bulletin adds. “We continue to assess that the primary threat of mass casualty violence in the United States stems from lone offenders and small groups motivated by a range of ideological beliefs and/or personal grievances.”

The bulletin noted multiple recent attacks, including last month’s school shooting in Uvalde, Texas, and the April 2022 mass shooting in Brooklyn, New York, by an Islamic extremist that was celebrated online by pro-al-Qaeda and ISIS users.

The agency also warned that “Chinese, Iranian, Russian, and other foreign-malign influence actors have sought to contribute to U.S. internal discord and weaken its focus and position internationally. These actors have amplified narratives that radicalized individuals have cited to justify violence, including conspiracy theories and false or misleading narratives promoting U.S. societal division.”

“As recent acts of violence in communities across the country have so tragically demonstrated, the nation remains in a heightened threat environment, and we expect that environment will become more dynamic in the coming months,” said DHS Secretary Alejandro N. Mayorkas. “The Department of Homeland Security remains steadfast in our commitment to provide timely information and resources to the American public and our partners across every level of government, in law enforcement, and in the private sector. This includes regular engagements with stakeholders to maintain awareness about the threat environment, trainings and online resources to help communities stay safe, increased sharing of information with law enforcement partners, and millions of dollars in grant funding opportunities for communities and organizations to enhance security and advance prevention efforts.”

The bulletin is currently set to expire on November 30 at 2:00 pm.