Former acting Director of National Intelligence Richard Grenell, President Trump’s nominee to lead the National Security Agency (NSA), testified before the Senate Intelligence Committee on Tuesday that combating terrorism starts with securing the US-Mexico border.
Grenell, who is a strong supporter of President Trump’s border wall, stated that the lack of a secure border allows terrorists to enter the country undetected. He pointed to the recent admission of a Pakistani national who was arrested in December for attempting to join the Islamic State (ISIS) as an example of the threat posed by an open border.
“We’re allowing people to come in who don’t have to go through our normal vetting process,” Grenell said. “We’re allowing people to come in who are not telling us the truth about their background, their connections, their intentions.”
Grenell also expressed concern about the rise of violent extremism in the US, particularly among American-born individuals who are inspired by foreign terrorist organizations. He argued that a secure border is essential for preventing these individuals from traveling abroad to join terrorist groups or bringing terrorist tactics back to the US.
The former acting DNI also emphasized the importance of countering online extremism, citing the role that social media platforms have played in disseminating terrorist propaganda. He advocated for increased international cooperation to address the spread of terrorist content online.
Grenell’s nomination to lead the NSA has been met with some opposition from lawmakers, who have expressed concerns about his lack of experience in intelligence gathering and his close ties to President Trump. However, he is widely expected to be confirmed by the Senate.