Intelligence leaders to testify on global terror threats to US

Officials will focus on smuggling networks with potential ties to ISIS
Wray: US faces threats from homegrown extremists to state-sponsored orgs
Threats from China, Iran and North Korea remain top of mind for agencies

Updated: Mar 12, 2024 / 07:48 AM CDT

WASHINGTON (NewsNation) — The officials overseeing America’s intelligence will testify Tuesday on Capitol Hill, where they are expected to raise concerns about a “fragile world order” and significant terror threats.

They’re particularly focusing on smuggling networks at the southern U.S. border with potential ties to ISIS, while also pointing out the roles of global powers like Russia and China.

Director of National Intelligence Avril Haines, CIA Director Bill Burns and FBI Director Christopher Wray will testify Tuesday before the House Intelligence Committee after having done so Monday before the Senate Intelligence Committee.

In an exchange with Florida Sen. Marco Rubio during Monday’s hearing, Wray said the U.S. is facing a wide array of threats from its southern border, including an increased risk of terrorism.

The FBI is monitoring one ISIS-affiliated terror group, but Wray didn’t specify its name.

“There’s a particular network that has whereas some of the overseas facilitators of the smuggling network have ISIS ties that were very concerned about and that we’ve been spending enormous amount of effort with our partners investigating exactly what that network is up to is something that’s again the subject of our current investigation,” Wray said.

Wray didn’t highlight any specific threats or plots but emphasized that the U.S. is facing more threats from homegrown extremists to state-sponsored organizations.

Wray didn’t highlight any specific threats or plots but said the U.S. is facing more threats from a terror perspective from homegrown extremists to state-sponsored organizations. He also mentioned that the FBI alone seized enough fentanyl at the borer to kill 270 million people.

Threats from China, Iran and North Korea remain top of mind for intelligence agencies — these range from security issues related to TikTok and its Chinese parent company to perceived weakness among adversaries. Without continued support from Ukraine’s fight against Russia, there’s concern it could encourage China to invade Taiwan or other neighboring counties.