US On Alert For Fourth Of July Terror Attack
There has been increased chatter on social media that indicates terrorists could try to target the holiday, says a lawmaker.
Americans should beware of the threat of a terrorist attack in the lead-up to next weekend's Fourth of July celebrations, a powerful US lawmaker has said.
Michael McCaul, chairman of the House of Representatives' Homeland Security Committee, told Fox News Sunday there had been increased chatter on social media that suggests terrorists could target the Independence Day celebrations.
The Texas lawmaker said: "I am extremely concerned about the way these Syrian, ISIS recruiters can use the internet at lightning speeds to recruit followers in the United States... and then activate them to do whatever they want to do.
"Whether it's military installations, law enforcement or possibly a Fourth of July event parade."
He noted that a spokesman for the Islamic State had called for attacks during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and on the Fourth of July holiday.
"I think given these confluence of events we're being on the cautious side here to warn the public to remain vigilant - to enjoy the Fourth of July parades, but remain vigilant during these celebrations," said Mr McCaul.
Federal authorities have warned law enforcement officials nationwide to be on the look-out for security threats in the coming days.
An FBI intelligence bulletin on Friday said there was no specific or credible threat of an attack, but warned of the ongoing threats posed by homegrown extremists.
Such warnings are often issued in advance of major US holidays out of an abundance of caution.
But following attacks in Tunisia, France and Kuwait, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said law enforcement should be "vigilant and prepared'' for the Fourth of July celebrations.
source: US On Alert For Fourth Of July Terror Attack
There has been increased chatter on social media that indicates terrorists could try to target the holiday, says a lawmaker.
Americans should beware of the threat of a terrorist attack in the lead-up to next weekend's Fourth of July celebrations, a powerful US lawmaker has said.
Michael McCaul, chairman of the House of Representatives' Homeland Security Committee, told Fox News Sunday there had been increased chatter on social media that suggests terrorists could target the Independence Day celebrations.
The Texas lawmaker said: "I am extremely concerned about the way these Syrian, ISIS recruiters can use the internet at lightning speeds to recruit followers in the United States... and then activate them to do whatever they want to do.
"Whether it's military installations, law enforcement or possibly a Fourth of July event parade."
He noted that a spokesman for the Islamic State had called for attacks during the Islamic holy month of Ramadan and on the Fourth of July holiday.
"I think given these confluence of events we're being on the cautious side here to warn the public to remain vigilant - to enjoy the Fourth of July parades, but remain vigilant during these celebrations," said Mr McCaul.
Federal authorities have warned law enforcement officials nationwide to be on the look-out for security threats in the coming days.
An FBI intelligence bulletin on Friday said there was no specific or credible threat of an attack, but warned of the ongoing threats posed by homegrown extremists.
Such warnings are often issued in advance of major US holidays out of an abundance of caution.
But following attacks in Tunisia, France and Kuwait, Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson said law enforcement should be "vigilant and prepared'' for the Fourth of July celebrations.
source: US On Alert For Fourth Of July Terror Attack
