logo
Ahead Of July 4 Celebrations, US Agencies Warn Of "Lone-Wolf" Attacks

Ahead Of July 4 Celebrations, US Agencies Warn Of "Lone-Wolf" Attacks

NDTV03-07-2025
New Delhi:
As cities across America prepare for massive July 4 gatherings, federal authorities have sounded the alarm over potential security threats from lone-wolf attackers and unauthorised drone activity. In a joint threat assessment released ahead of Independence Day, agencies, including the FBI, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS), say the most likely danger comes from individuals or small extremist groups motivated by a range of ideological or personal grievances.
"The most significant terrorism threat facing the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks (in New York City)stems from lone offenders and small groups of individuals seeking to commit acts of violence," the bulletin, reviewed by CNN, says. These actors, it reads, may be driven by racial, ethnic, political, religious, or personal grievances.
Authorities have not identified any specific, credible threats against the fireworks show or other related events. Still, they caution that large-scale gatherings with high attendance and media coverage are "attractive targets" for both domestic and foreign extremists aiming to cause mass casualties or gain attention for their causes.
Recent high-profile attacks, including the 2025 New Year's Day vehicle-ramming in New Orleans, have further heightened vigilance. The bulletin warns of the risk of copycat violence and ongoing calls from foreign terrorist organisations (FTOs) for strikes on Western targets.
Ongoing global tensions such as Israel's war on Gaza, which has already led to protests in the US, remain a particular concern. "Most attackers motivated at least in part by the Israel-HAMAS conflict have selected targets with a symbolic link to Israel," the bulletin says.
The bulletin cites last month's deadly firebombing in Boulder, Colorado, as the latest domestic terror attack tied to the conflict. That incident followed the May 21 killing of two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, DC.
Last month, the DHS issued a terrorist threat alert following President Donald Trump's military strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The advisory warned that Iranian-linked hackers could retaliate with cyberattacks on US networks and infrastructure.
Ahead of the 4th of July celebrations, authorities are also watching the skies. The report flags the potential misuse of drones to disrupt or target large gatherings. "Although we have no credible, specific reporting regarding illicit plans to use UAS (unmanned aircraft systems) to target the Macy's 4th of July Fireworks," it says, "unauthorised UAS operations have the potential to increase public safety risks."
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Trump warns of 'higher tariffs' if countries fail to open markets to US products
Trump warns of 'higher tariffs' if countries fail to open markets to US products

India Today

time23 minutes ago

  • India Today

Trump warns of 'higher tariffs' if countries fail to open markets to US products

US President Donald Trump has once again warned that countries refusing to open their markets to American products will face even higher tariffs. On Wednesday, several nations, including South Korea, rushed to finalise trade agreements with the US before the August 1 negotiation a strongly worded post on his social media platform Truth Social, Trump stated, "I WILL ONLY LOWER TARIFFS IF A COUNTRY AGREES TO OPEN ITS MARKET. IF NOT, MUCH HIGHER TARIFFS! Japan's Markets are now OPEN (for first time ever!). USA BUSINESSES WILL BOOM!"advertisementHis post came just a day after he announced a new trade deal with Japan, which includes a 15 percent "reciprocal" tariff on Japanese goods entering the United States. This new rate is 10 percentage points lower than what had previously been announced. According to Trump, Japan will invest USD 550 billion in the US, with 90% of the profits going to the United GREAT POWER OF TARIFFS: TRUMPTrump also defended his use of tariffs as a negotiation tool. In another post, he wrote: "Another great power of Tariffs. Without them, it would be impossible to get countries to OPEN UP!!! ALWAYS, ZERO TARIFFS TO AMERICA!!!" The president has been arguing that tariffs help create leverage in international trade talks, forcing other countries to remove trade barriers and give US businesses a fair shot in foreign markets. According to Trump, the goal is always to eliminate tariffs altogether—but only when other nations do the approach is putting pressure on countries like South Korea, which is working to avoid the harsh consequences of US tariffs. The Korean government is particularly concerned about proposed 25 percent reciprocal tariffs, as well as separate duties on steel, aluminium, and automobile exports. These sectors form the backbone of South Korea's economy, which heavily relies on House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt backed Trump's remarks during a press briefing. She said, "If not, they will continue to face tariffs and pay a steep price to do business in the United States of America, which remains the best market on the face of the planet."- EndsTune InMust Watch

EU, US inch closer to 15% trade deal amid looming tariff threats
EU, US inch closer to 15% trade deal amid looming tariff threats

First Post

time23 minutes ago

  • First Post

EU, US inch closer to 15% trade deal amid looming tariff threats

The European Union and the United States are heading towards a trade deal that would result in a broad tariff of 15% applying to EU goods imported into the United States. read more The European Union and the United States are nearing a trade agreement that would introduce 15 per cent tariffs on European imports, mirroring a deal struck earlier this week between US President Donald Trump and Japan, the Financial Times reported on Wednesday. While negotiations continue, the EU is also preparing a countermeasure, a potential 93 billion euro ($109 billion) package of retaliatory tariffs with rates reaching up to 30 per cent should talks fail to produce a deal before the August 1 deadline, the report said. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Neither the White House nor a European Union spokesperson responded to Reuters' requests for comment. Reuters also said it could not independently confirm the FT report. Earlier on Wednesday, the European Commission reiterated that its priority remains finding a negotiated settlement with Washington to avoid the 30 per cent tariffs President Trump has threatened to impose on EU goods beginning August 1. In 2024, US imports of vehicles and auto parts from Japan exceeded $55 billion, while the figure from the EU stood at 47.3 billion euros ($55.45 billion). By contrast, US-made cars have a limited share in both the EU and Japanese markets.

Donald Trump Eyes Kingmaker Role In 2026 Midterms, Will Vet Candidates, Plan Fundraisers
Donald Trump Eyes Kingmaker Role In 2026 Midterms, Will Vet Candidates, Plan Fundraisers

News18

timean hour ago

  • News18

Donald Trump Eyes Kingmaker Role In 2026 Midterms, Will Vet Candidates, Plan Fundraisers

Last Updated: Trump is banking heavily on the success of his newly passed tax and spending legislation. US President Donald Trump has already begun laying the groundwork for a major push in the 2026 midterm elections. According to US broadcaster ABC News, a senior White House official confirmed Trump's direct involvement in the Republican Party's strategy, including fundraising, recruitment, and campaign planning. The President's goal is clear: to maintain the GOP majority in both chambers of Congress during the final two years of his presidency. Behind the scenes, Trump is expected to wield significant influence over GOP candidate selection. The report said he will back loyalists and block Republicans who have previously opposed or criticised him. The White House is also working to persuade key Republican lawmakers to stay in their current roles and avoid retirement or bids for other offices. According to the White House source, Trump and key members of his Cabinet plan to tour major swing states to build support for the legislation and the broader Republican agenda. Vice President JD Vance has already kicked off early campaigning, recently appearing in Pennsylvania to promote the bill. Trump is banking heavily on the success of his newly passed tax and spending legislation, dubbed the 'Big Beautiful Bill', to power the GOP to victory. The bill was signed into law during this year's Fourth of July celebrations at the White House, where Trump declared it as 'the biggest tax cut in the history of our country." The bill slashes funding for government programs such as Medicaid while boosting support for immigration enforcement. It also expands the child tax credit, which Trump hopes will appeal to working-class voters. The bill's political effectiveness is already being tested on the campaign trail. Gubernatorial candidates in Virginia and New Jersey are promoting the law with tailored messaging, allowing the GOP to assess which strategy resonates best with voters ahead of 2026. Additionally, Republican strategists are in the process of creating new fundraising vehicles to support GOP candidates nationwide. The President's inner circle is currently seeking a strong candidate for the New Hampshire Senate seat, following former Governor Chris Sununu's decision not to run. view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store