WASHNGTON – Jeh Johnson, the former Secretary of Homeland Security under President Barack Obama, issued a warning yesterday about the potential threat of terror-inspired attacks ahead of two high-profile events: the Inauguration and the Super Bowl.
Speaking on a CNN panel discussion, Johnson emphasized that the threat of such attacks is currently at a “heightened level”. He stated, “I don’t want to overreact, but we’ve got a threat stream that says these sorts of things can happen. We’re talking about terrorists, people who are motivated by extremist ideologies.”
Johnson highlighted that law enforcement and intelligence agencies have detected a recent increase in activity by suspected extremist groups and lone wolf individuals who are likely to carry out violent attacks in public places. “These groups, and some individuals, are using social media, using other types of communications to radicalize, to inspire people to commit violent acts,” he said.
As the Inauguration and Super Bowl draw closer, authorities are stepping up their efforts to protect public spaces and identify potential threats. Johnson acknowledged that there have been increased resources allocated to securing these events, including a boost in federal personnel and technology. However, he also warned that no system is foolproof, and it’s essential for citizens to remain vigilant.
The ex-Secretary stressed the importance of not creating an “overhyped” sense of danger but also underscored the reality of the threats posed by modern-day terrorism. “I’m not saying that these threats are necessarily credible or imminent, but they’re certainly there,” he emphasized. “We have to be smart about this. We have to take these threats seriously.”