The FBI’s Top Priority: Terrorism
Mollie Halpern: Protecting the United States from terrorist attacks from ISIL, al Qaeda, the Taliban, homegrown violent extremists, and others remains the FBI’s top priority. Jane Rhodes-Wolfe, a section chief in the Counterterrorism Division, who responded to the attack in New York says…
Jane Rhodes-Wolfe: The threat picture is very persistent, and the threat emanating from overseas is incredibly intense, and the desire to murder innocent people remains to be their number one priority as it was on the morning of September 11.
Halpern: Since that day 14 years ago, the communication methods and messages have evolved. ISIL, for example, uses the Internet and social media to inspire and recruit. Unit Chief William Dayhoff says ISIL mostly targets young males and entices them to commit jihad overseas or on American soil.
William Dayhoff: They communicate very well through that. They put a lot of credence into the information they see. It’s only 140 characters—but it’s an impactful 140 characters, because they’re tuned into that.
Rhodes-Wolfe: We encourage people, should they see something that is of concern on social media, www.fbi.gov is a place that they could report that.