Tulsi Gabbard Warns of Rising Islamist Terrorism in the US
DNI Tulsi Gabbard Flags Growing Islamist Extremist Influence Through Digital Propaganda
The Islamist Terrorism Threat in the US is entering a new and unpredictable phase, according to the United States Director of National Intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard. In a pointed and unusually candid interview with ABC published on 15 November 2025, Gabbard said the danger the country faces today is no longer defined by the large, hierarchical networks that dominated the post-9/11 era.
Instead, she said, “the battlefield has shifted to living rooms, online forums, and encrypted platforms,” where individuals can be radicalised without ever leaving their screens.
Tulsi Gabbard: From Cross-Border Networks to Invisible Lone-Wolf Actors
Gabbard explained that U.S. intelligence agencies, along with federal and local partners, have intercepted several plots in recent years, many tied to individuals acting alone. These are attackers who are not formally trained or directed by overseas organisations, she said, but “are ideologically guided, virtually inspired, and operationally autonomous.”
She noted that the U.S. has recorded cases of people entering the country with potential ties to extremist movements, adding to the complexity of the threat environment. The digital echo chambers of extremist propaganda—still driven partly by groups like al-Qaeda—now reach audiences far outside traditional conflict zones. “Ideology,” she warned, “travels faster than any operative ever could.”
A National Security Outlook Forged in War
Gabbard’s assessment is deeply rooted in her own experiences. As a lieutenant colonel in the Army Reserve, she is the first person to serve as DNI while still in uniform. She said her worldview was shaped the moment she watched the Twin Towers fall, a day that ultimately pushed her to enlist.
Her deployments brought the consequences of terrorism into sharp focus. At Camp Anaconda in Iraq, she and her team endured constant mortar fire, experiences she describes as “life-defining, not just career-defining.” She carries a physical reminder of those years: a white streak in her hair, left untouched as a symbol of the cost of service.
In 2021, she deployed to the Horn of Africa to support operations against al-Shabaab, one of al-Qaeda’s most persistent affiliates. Working alongside Somali partners reinforced her belief that extremist networks adapt faster than many nations realise.
Tulsi Gabbard: A Record of Breaking Ranks
Long before she became DNI, Gabbard was known for challenging her own party. As a Democratic lawmaker and former DNC vice chair, she repeatedly urged U.S. leaders to name “Islamist extremism” explicitly, arguing that avoiding the terminology made honest policy evaluation impossible. Her stance drew criticism from some Democratic leaders and accusations of Islamophobia from activists—charges she rejects.
“To separate ideology from violence is to pretend the threat doesn’t exist,” she said in her ABC interview. “That comes at the cost of our own security.”
Faith, Mortality, and Leadership
Gabbard’s reflections on service extend beyond geopolitics. She has often spoken about her spiritual grounding—turning to both the Bible and the Bhagavad Gita during deployments—to stay centred amid constant reminders of mortality. At Camp Anaconda, a sign reading “IS TODAY THE DAY?” greeted soldiers daily, a stark reminder that shaped her philosophy of leadership and sacrifice.
Reforming Intelligence for a New Era
As DNI, Gabbard has proposed sweeping reforms, including cutting ODNI staffing by nearly 50%. Critics argue the move risks weakening an already overextended intelligence system; supporters say it reflects her determination to streamline operations for a more nimble response to contemporary threats.
She also revealed that intelligence agencies have increased focus on issues in the Western Hemisphere—from drug cartels to human-trafficking networks—but stressed that the Islamist Terrorism Threat in the US remains the most persistent and lethal challenge.