The Department of Homeland Security has released a new terrorism alert amid fears violent extremists may take advantage of the easing of pandemic restrictions to conduct deadly attacks.
The alert, which was issued by Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas on Friday afternoon, came after the DHS consulted with their partners in both the intelligence and law enforcement communities.
It does not cite any specific threats, but warns of potential danger from both domestic and foreign terrorists as public spaces start to become crowded once again.
'The United States is facing threats that have evolved significantly and become increasingly complex and volatile,' the warning states.
'Violent extremists may seek to exploit the easing of COVID-19-related restrictions across the United States to conduct attacks against a broader range of targets after previous public capacity limits reduced opportunities for lethal attacks'.
The Department of Homeland Security has released a new terrorism alert amid fears violent extremists may take advantage of the easing of pandemic restrictions to conduct deadly attacks. Homeland Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas (pictured) issued the alert Friday
'Violent extremists may seek to exploit the easing of COVID-19-related restrictions across the United States to conduct attacks against a broader range of targets after previous public capacity limits reduced opportunities for lethal attacks,' the warning states. Tourists are pictured at The Lincoln Memorial in Washington, DC on Friday
The warning specifically asserts that domestic terrorists may be inspired to commit racially or ethnically-motivated attacks.
It states: 'Some domestic violent extremists advocate via social media and online platforms for a race war and have stated that civil disorder provides opportunities to engage in violence in furtherance of ideological objectives'.
Such threats have been exacerbated by COVID-19, which spawned conspiracy theories and deepened anger at the government in some quarters over the shutdown of the economy.
Both Mayorkas and Attorney General Merrick Garland testified to a Senate committee this week that 'racially or ethnically motivated violent extremists' pose the greatest domestic threat to the country at the moment.
Without any specific potential targets, the warning notes that, historically, extremists motivated by racial and ethnic hatred have targeted religious institutions and crowded businesses or gatherings.
After the lockdowns of 2020, people are once again beginning to gather en masse, sparking new fears of a terror attack. Pictured: Crowds at a boxing event in Texas last week
Crowds are seen taking to the streets in Las Vegas after COVID-19 restrictions are eased
Meanwhile, domestic terrorists are not the the only threat currently concerning the SHS.
The new alert also warns foreign terrorist organizations such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State may still try to inspire homegrown attacks.
Added to the mix are adversaries such as Russia, China and Iran, which the alert says are amplifying conspiracy theories about the origins of COVID-19 and calls for violence against people of Asian descent.
The new DHS warning is an extension of one issued earlier this year in the wake of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol.
DHS and the FBI are providing guidance and other assistance to state and local law enforcement organizations to deal with the threats.
DHS has also established a new domestic terrorism branch within its Office of Intelligence and Analysis and has directed state and local governments to use 7.5 percent of annual grant money issued by the agency to deal with the threat.
The new DHS warning is an extension of one issued earlier this year in the wake of the January 6 attack on the U.S. Capitol
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