Biden’s national security failures allow terrorism to thrive
By Damsana Ranadhiran
In a deeply concerning example of political malpractice, President Joe Biden’s administration has failed to address the growing threat posed by foreign terrorism while fixating on perceived domestic political adversaries.
The recent deadly attack in New Orleans, allegedly carried out by 42-year-old Shamsud-Din Jabbar, a US citizen with links to ISIS, exposes the chilling consequences of this dangerous mis prioritization.
While Jabbar’s deadly actions are being investigated, one question remains starkly unanswered: How did a jihadist, flying an ISIS flag on his pickup truck, go undetected in the United States long enough to plough into pedestrians, killing at least 15 and injuring many more?
The attack by Jabbar, a man with clear connections to a known terrorist organization, raises critical concerns about the effectiveness of US national security policies under Biden.
Despite the obvious threat posed by groups like ISIS, the Biden administration’s focus has been disturbingly directed toward domestic extremism – particularly towards Americans who oppose his policies.
This misallocation of resources has led to grave consequences for national security, with ISIS and other violent foreign ideologies continuing to infiltrate the US undeterred.
Jabbar’s ISIS affiliation serves as a stark reminder of the global threat posed by Islamist terrorism, a threat that Biden’s administration has failed to adequately prioritize. The attack in New Orleans is not an isolated incident. It is part of a broader pattern of jihadist terrorism that has continued to haunt the United States and the world.
A 2019 Department of State report, issued under former President Donald Trump, made it abundantly clear that ISIS remained a deadly force, capable of launching attacks in the US and across the globe.
Yet, under Biden, the US government’s focus has been diverted elsewhere.Rather than confront the threat posed by foreign terror groups like ISIS, Biden and his administration have chosen to weaponize the FBI and other federal agencies against perceived domestic political threats.
From the moment President Biden took office, his administration made it clear that combating “domestic violent extremism” would be a top priority.
However, the term has been so broadly defined that it effectively targets anyone who dares to question Biden’s political agenda. The most significant casualties of this approach have been the tens of millions of Americans who support former President Donald Trump, the so-called “MAGA Republicans.”
The FBI and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) have reallocated resources to target these groups, labelling them as “domestic terrorists.”
This redirection of attention has had severe consequences for national security, as vital resources that could be used to address real, deadly threats from foreign actors have been diverted to monitor and investigate American citizens based on their political beliefs.
In June 2021, the National Security Council outlined a plan to focus on domestic terrorism, particularly against those who advocate for white supremacy and militia-style violence.
In his remarks at the time, Attorney General Merrick Garland declared that “the January 6 assault on our nation’s Capitol” was a pivotal moment in defining the focus of US counterterrorism efforts.
In his view, violent extremism on American soil – particularly that associated with groups like the Proud Boys and Oath Keepers – represented the most significant and “persistent” threats to national security.But the reality is far more complex.
While domestic extremism is a real concern, it pales in comparison to the global threats posed by ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other jihadist groups. Biden’s administration has not only failed to adequately address these threats but has also shown a worrying tendency to downplay the threat from foreign actors while criminalizing American political dissidents.
In his September 2022 speech, Biden labeled “MAGA Republicans” as “extremists” and “a clear and present danger to our democracy.” Yet, at the same time, he has allowed ISIS operatives and other foreign extremists to slip through the cracks.
Shamsud-Din Jabbar’s connection to ISIS should be a glaring warning sign of the larger issue at play. The US government has failed to focus its attention on the threat posed by jihadist terrorism while simultaneously cracking down on domestic political opposition.
While the FBI was busy investigating American citizens who attended the January 6 Capitol riot, a man flying an ISIS flag was able to wreak havoc on US soil with deadly force. This failure to identify and stop foreign terrorism at its root could have catastrophic consequences in the future.
Moreover, Biden’s administration has made it all too easy for dangerous individuals to enter the US and radicalize on American soil. The wide-open southern border and a lax immigration policy have allowed for the unvetted entry of individuals who may have ties to terrorist groups.
Law enforcement agencies, which should be focused on identifying these individuals before they can carry out attacks, have been bogged down by the political priorities set by Biden’s team.While US borders have remained porous under Biden, national security resources have been repurposed to target domestic political enemies.
Illegal immigration has flooded into the country, with many of these newcomers hailing from regions with strong ISIS influences, including the Middle East, North Africa, and parts of Asia.
While the DHS has been consumed with its “domestic extremism” agenda, it has failed to address the influx of individuals who may be sympathetic to violent jihadist ideologies. This glaring security lapse has left the nation vulnerable to attacks by individuals like Jabbar.
In the wake of Jabbar’s attack, the question must be asked: why was the FBI not tracking this individual when it had been so vigilant in investigating domestic political dissidents? The agency’s resources were clearly available, but they were focused on pursuing Trump supporters instead of individuals with known ties to a foreign terrorist group.
It is time for President Biden to reassess his priorities. The real threats to US national security are not confined to those who disagree with his administration’s policies, but to those who wish to destroy the very fabric of American society.
ISIS, al-Qaeda, and other jihadist groups remain active and dangerous, and their influence continues to grow, even on American soil. Biden’s failure to recognize and act on these threats is a profound security failure that puts all Americans at risk.
The attack in New Orleans serves as a chilling reminder that the United States faces serious threats from foreign terrorism. While President Biden focuses on domestic political opponents, jihadist groups like ISIS are operating on American soil, carrying out deadly attacks.
Biden’s misplaced priorities have weakened the nation’s ability to defend itself against these growing dangers, and the consequences of his inaction are now tragically clear.
It is past time for Biden to recalibrate his national security strategy and confront the real threats that endanger the American people.
