US warns of heightened extremist threat ahead of 2024 presidential election

By Iclal Turan

WASHINGTON (AA) - The US remains in a “heightened threat environment” ahead of the 2024 presidential election, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) said Wednesday.

“In the coming months, DHS expects the threat environment to remain heightened and that individuals may be motivated to violence by perceptions of the 2024 general election cycle and legislative or judicial decisions pertaining to sociopolitical issues,” said the National Terrorism Advisory System Bulletin issued by Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas.

"U.S. critical infrastructure, faith-based institutions, individuals or events associated with the LGBTQIA+ community, schools, racial and ethnic minorities, and government facilities and personnel are likely targets of potential violence," it added.

Mayorkas said "recent tragic events" highlight the continued heightened threat environment the US faces. He added that these threats are "driven by violent extremists who seek to further their ideological beliefs and personal grievances.”

The latest bulletin is the eighth one issued since Jan. 21, replacing the previous bulletin, which expired today, informing the public every few months about the terrorism threat landscape in the US.